Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T12:59:52.933Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Disaster Reanimatology Potentials: A Structured Interview Study in Armenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Edmund M. Ricci ,
Ernesto A. Pretto ,
Peter Safar ,
Miroslav Klain ,
Derek Angus ,
Samuel A. Tisherman ,
Joel Abrams ,
David Crippen ,
Louise Comfort  and
Victor Semenov
Edmund M. Ricci*
Affiliation:
From the International Resuscitation Research Center (IRRC), the School of Engineering and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Ernesto A. Pretto*
Affiliation:
From the International Resuscitation Research Center (IRRC), the School of Engineering and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Peter Safar
Affiliation:
From the International Resuscitation Research Center (IRRC), the School of Engineering and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Miroslav Klain
Affiliation:
From the International Resuscitation Research Center (IRRC), the School of Engineering and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Derek Angus
Affiliation:
From the International Resuscitation Research Center (IRRC), the School of Engineering and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Samuel A. Tisherman
Affiliation:
From the International Resuscitation Research Center (IRRC), the School of Engineering and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Joel Abrams
Affiliation:
From the International Resuscitation Research Center (IRRC), the School of Engineering and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
David Crippen
Affiliation:
From the International Resuscitation Research Center (IRRC), the School of Engineering and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Louise Comfort
Affiliation:
From the International Resuscitation Research Center (IRRC), the School of Engineering and the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
Victor Semenov
Affiliation:
Institute of Reanimatolgy of the USSR Academy of Medical Science, Moscow, USSR, and the Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pa., USA
*
E. Ricci, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health, Room A621, Pittsburgh, PA 15261 USA, or E. Pretto, International Resuscitation Research Center, 3434 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260USA
E. Ricci, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health, Room A621, Pittsburgh, PA 15261 USA, or E. Pretto, International Resuscitation Research Center, 3434 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260USA
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The study of a disaster which has occurred cannot be researched using the traditional techniques as it is not possible to conceive or conduct controlled, randomized experiments for such an event. Paper I of this series described non-experimental, scientific methodologies which were applied to study the detection-extrication-resuscitation activities which occurred following the devastating 1988 earthquake in the Republic of Armenia, USSR. This paper critically evaluates the methodologies used for the Armenia study and proposes modifications in these methods for application to the study of future disasters.

Approaches which could be applied to the study of future disasters are defined and critically evaluated from the view of reliability, validity, costs, and practicability. The revised set of protocols is discussed in terms of: 1) the structured interview process; 2) training of personnel to conduct, synthesize, and evaluate the interviews; 3) the time required to complete the interview process; 4) sampling techniques; 5) mechanisms for cross-checking the data; and 6) the addition of preliminary data collection immediately following or during the event. Use of this revised approach should assist in the collection and analysis of data associated with future disasters so that it is possible to: 1) further enhance life-saving and reduce mortality; 2) improve relief efforts; 3) reduce damage to communities; 4) evaluate the long-term effects of such events; and 5) assist in better preparation for future events.

Type
Investigator
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , June 1991 , pp. 159 - 166
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Safar, P, Ramos, V, Mosquera, J: Anecdotes on resuscitation potentials following the earthquake of 1970 in Peru. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine 1987;3:124.Google Scholar
2. Safar, P, Kirimli, N, Agnes, A, Magalini, S: Anecdotes on Resuscitation Potentials Following the Earthquake of 1980 in Italy. Proceedings of Fourth World Congress on Emergency and Disaster Medicine, June 1985, Brighton, UK. Abstract.Google Scholar
3. Klain, M, Ricci, E, Safar, P, Semenov, V, Pretto, E, Tisherman, S, Abrams, J, Comfort, L, and other members of the Disaster Reanimatology Study Group: Disaster reanimatology potentials: A structured interview study in Armenia I. Methodology and preliminary results, Prehospital and Disaster Medicine 1989; 4:135–154.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4. Sechrest, L, Hannah, M: The Critical Importance of Non-Experimental Data in Research Methodology: Strengthening Causal Interpretations of Non-experimental Data. Sechrest, L., Perrin, E., and Bunker, J., eds. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Conference Proceedings, 1990.Google Scholar
5. Feinberg, H: The Quest for Causality in Health Services Research. In: Sechrest, L., Perrin, E., and Bunker, J., eds. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Conference Proceedings, 1990.Google Scholar
6. Cook, T, Campbell, D, Quasi-Experimental Designs for Research in the Field. Chicago: Rand McNally, 1979.Google Scholar
7. Cronback, L, Ambron, S, Dornbusch, S: Toward Reform of Program Evaluation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1980.Google Scholar
8. Kahneman, D, Slovic, P, and Tversky, A, eds.: Judgment Under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases. London: Cambridge University Press, 1982.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9. DeBruycker, M, Greco, D, Annino, I:, The 1980 earthquake in southern Italy: Rescue of trapped victims and mortality. Bull WHO 1983;61:1021–1025.Google Scholar
10. DeBruycker, M, Greco, D, Lechat, MF: The 1980 earthquake in southern Italy: Morbidity and mortality. Int J Epid 1985;14:113–117.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11. Molfese, A: 1980 Earthquake in Basilicata. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine. 1987;3:96–98.Google Scholar
12. Bozza-Marrubini, M: Three major disasters in Italy: Experience of Niguarda Hospital of Milan as base hospital. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine 1985;1(Suppl. I):414–419.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
13. Comfort, L: International disaster assistance in the Mexico City earthquake. New World: Journal of Latin American Studies 1986;1:12–43.Google Scholar
14. Romo, CR: The Mexico City earthquake: An international disaster: An overview. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine 1986;2:4–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15. Villazon-Sahagun, A: Mexico City earthquake: Medical response. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine 1986;2:15–20.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16. Tiedemann, H: Earthquake damage in Mexico City. Nature 1987;329:677.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17. Hays, WW: The 19 September 1985 Mexico earthquake: Technical problems. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine 1986;2:9–14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
18. Frey, R: The Club of Mainz for improved worldwide emergency and critical care medicine systems and disaster preparedness. Crit Care Med 1978;6:389.Google ScholarPubMed
19. Safar, P, Pretto, E, Villazon, A: Resuscitation potentials in earthquake: An international panel. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine 1987;3:77.Google Scholar
20. Pacey, A: Taking Soundings in Developing Communities: An Approach to the Information Needs of Rural Development Workers, District Officials and Health Service Staff. Geneva: World Health Organization, 1981.Google Scholar
21. National Center for Health Services Research: Health Survey Research Methods. Bethesda, Md.:DHHS Publication No. (PHS) 84–3346, September, 1984.Google Scholar
22. Babbie, E: The Practice of Social Research. 5th ed. Belmont. Calif. :Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1989.Google Scholar
23. Ricci, E: A model of evaluation of disaster management. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine 1985;1(Suppl. I):30–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
24. Suchman, E: Evaluative Research. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 1967.Google Scholar
25. Cook, T, Reichardt, C, eds.: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Evaluation Research. Newburg Park, Calif.: Sage Publications, 1979.Google Scholar
26. Patton, M: Utilization Focused Evaluation. Beverly Hills and London:Sage Publication, 1978.Google Scholar
27. Miles, M, Huberman, A: Qualitative Data Analysis. Beverly Hills:Sage Publications, 1984.Google Scholar
28. Silverman, M, Ricci, E, Gunter, M: Strategies for Increasing the Rigor of Qualitative Methods in Health Services Research. Evaluation Review 1990;14.Google Scholar
29. Chambers, R: Shortcut Methods of Gathering Social Information for Rural Development Projects, Chapter 13. In: Cernea, M., Putting People First: Sociological Variables in Rural Development. New York:Oxford University Press, 1985, pp. 399–415.Google Scholar