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Health promotion in Fiji: Is it feasible in the emergency department?
Author(s) -
Creaton Anne,
Holt Jackie
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
emergency medicine australasia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.602
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1742-6723
pISSN - 1742-6731
DOI - 10.1111/1742-6723.12846
Subject(s) - medicine , emergency department , intervention (counseling) , asthma , thematic analysis , health literacy , public health , health promotion , patient education , coaching , family medicine , medical emergency , nursing , health care , qualitative research , social science , management , sociology , economics , economic growth
Objectives Complications of diabetes, hypertension and asthma are commonly seen in EDs in Fiji. Time spent in the ED offers an opportunity for health promotion activities. The aim of the intervention was to provide information on diabetes, hypertension and asthma to patients in the ED. The aim of the project was to determine whether such an intervention could be implemented using public health students. The aim of this paper is to document the experiences of those who delivered and supervised the intervention. Methods This pilot project took place in the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, in August–October 2015. Patient suitability was assessed by the supervising emergency physician. Patients were invited to receive a 10‐min information session relating to asthma, hypertension or diabetes. Once the project had concluded, the students and supervisor were given a questionnaire, requiring them to reflect on their experiences of the project. Data was analysed using an inductive approach with thematic content analysis. Results Students required intensive coaching to gain the skills and confidence to deliver the intervention. The intervention was well received by patients, whose knowledge of hypertension, diabetes and asthma was poor. Conclusion Health literacy among patients in Fiji is low and measures to address this must be taken. Intensive training and supervision is required for public health students to be able to deliver such activities in the ED setting.