Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-x4r87 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-25T19:07:25.129Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Barriers to and Facilitators of Inter-Organizational Coordination in Response to Disasters: A Grounded Theory Approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 October 2016

Mohammadkarim Bahadori Open the ORCID record for Mohammadkarim Bahadori [Opens in a new window] ,
Hamid Reza Khankeh ,
Rouhollah Zaboli ,
Ramin Ravangard  and
Isa Malmir
Mohammadkarim Bahadori
Affiliation:
Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Hamid Reza Khankeh
Affiliation:
University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Rouhollah Zaboli
Affiliation:
Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ramin Ravangard
Affiliation:
Department of Health Services Management, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Isa Malmir*
Affiliation:
Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Isa Malmir, PhD, Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (E-mail: esamalmir@gmail.com).
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective

Coordination is a major challenge in the field of health in disasters, mostly because of the complex nature of health-related activities.

Methods

This was a qualitative study based on the grounded theory approach. A total of 22 experts in the field of health in disasters participated in the study. The data were collected through in-depth interviews and literature review. The collected data were then analyzed by use of MAXQDA 2010 software (VERBI Software GmbH).

Results

The lack of a strategic view in the field of health in disasters, a lack of coordination of necessities and infrastructures, insufficient enforcement, a higher priority given to an organizational approach rather than a national approach, and the field of disasters not being a priority in the health system were noted as barriers to inter-organizational coordination. The facilitators of inter-organizational coordination noted were the importance of public participation in the field of health in disasters, having a process and systematic view in the field of health in disasters, the necessity of understanding and managing resources and information in the field of health in disasters, and having a feedback and evaluation system in the health system after disasters.

Conclusion

It is recommended that developing common beliefs and goals be given priority in making plans and policies in the field of health in disasters. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:318–325)

Keywords

barriersfacilitatorscoordinationhealth servicesdisastersgrounded theory
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 11 , Issue 3 , June 2017 , pp. 318 - 325
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2016 

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. Brandt, EN Jr, Mayer, WN, Mason, JO, et al. Designing a national disaster medical system. Public Health Rep. 1985;100(5):455.Google ScholarPubMed
2. Kotlarsky, J, Van Fenema, PC, Willcocks, LP. Developing a knowledge-based perspective on coordination: the case of global software projects. Inf Manage. 2008;45(2):96-108. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2008.01.001.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3. Arshinder, Kanda, A, Deshmukh, SG. Supply chain coordination: perspectives, empirical studies and research directions. Int J Prod Econ. 2008;115(2):316-335. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2008.05.011.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4. Boella, G, Van Der Torre, L. Coordination and organization: definitions, examples and future research directions. Electron Notes Theor Comput Sci. 2006;150(3):3-20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.entcs.2006.03.002.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5. Hill, B. Diagnosing co-ordination problems in the emergency management response to disasters. Interact Comput. 2010;22(1):43-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.intcom.2009.11.003.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6. Quero, RA. Reframing coordination challenges for public-private partnerships in disaster preparedness. Procedia Soc Behav Sci. 2012;57:440-447. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.09.1209.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7. Ghazizadeh, M, Mesdaghinia, A, Ardalan, A, et al. Are graduate schools prepared for an earthquake? Readiness assessment of a school in Tehran. Hakim. 2011;13(4):250-256.Google Scholar
8. Carson, RG, Swinnen, S. Coordination and movement pathology: models of structure and function. Acta Psychol (Amst). 2002;110(2):357-364. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0001-6918(02)00042-2.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9. Salkin, P. Sustainability at the edge: the opportunity and responsibility of local governments to most effectively plan for natural disaster mitigation. Environ Law Report. 2008;38:10158.Google Scholar
10. Sadr, HR. Iranian Cinema: A Political History. London: IB Tauris; 2006.Google Scholar
11. Abolghasemi, H, Radfar, MH, Khatami, M, et al. International medical response to a natural disaster: lessons learned from the Bam earthquake experience. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2006;21(03):141-147. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X00003599.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12. Khankeh, H, Mohammadi, R, Ahmadi, F. Health care services at time of natural disasters: a qualitative study. Iran Journal of Nursing. 2007;20(51):85-96.Google Scholar
13. Emami, MJ, Tavakoli, AR, Alemzadeh, H, et al. Strategies in evaluation and management of Bam earthquake victims. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2005;20(05):327-330. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X0000279X.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14. Ardalan, A, Mazaheri, M, Vanrooyen, M, et al. Post-disaster quality of life among older survivors five years after the Bam earthquake: implications for recovery policy. Ageing Soc. 2011;31(02):179-196. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X10000772.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
15. Dami, F, Fuchs, V, Péclard, E, et al. Coordination of emergency medical services for a major road traffic accident on a Swiss suburban highway. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2009;35(3):265-270. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00068-009-8231-0.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
16. Zoraster, RM. Barriers to disaster coordination: health sector coordination in Banda Aceh following the South Asia Tsunami. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2006;21(S1):S13-S18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X0001582X.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
17. Chatterjee, A, Gupta, D, Jain, N. Coordination of Disaster Response: Potential and Challenges From Indian Experiences. Knowledge Community on Children In India; 2010.Google Scholar
18. Corbin, J, Strauss, A. Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications; 2008.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
19. Glaser, BG, Strauss, AL. The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. Piscataway, NJ: Transaction Publishers; 2009.Google Scholar
20. Khankeh, HR, Khorasani-Zavareh, D, Johanson, E, et al. Disaster health-related challenges and requirements: a grounded theory study in Iran. Prehosp Disaster Med . 2011;26(03):151-158. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X11006200.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21. Rabiee, A, Ardalan, A, Poorhoseini, SS. Assessment of coordination among lead agencies of natural disasters management in Iran. Hakim Research Journal. 2013;16(2):107-117.Google Scholar
22. Haghparast-Bidgoli, H, Hasselberg, M, Khankeh, H, et al. Barriers and facilitators to provide effective pre-hospital trauma care for road traffic injury victims in Iran: a grounded theory approach. BMC Emerg Med. 2010;10(1):20.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
23. Van Scotter, JR, Pawlowski, SD, Cu, TD. An examination of interdependencies among major barriers to coordination in disaster response. International Journal of Emergency Management. 2012;8(4):281-307.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
24. Majchrzak, A, Jarvenpaa, SL, Hollingshead, AB. Coordinating expertise among emergent groups responding to disasters. Organization Science. 2007;18(1):147-161.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
25. Azizpour, M, Zangiabadi, A, Esmaeilian, Z. Prioritizing the effective factors in urban crisis management against the natural disasters (Studying sample: The organizations related to Isfahan’s crisis). 2012;22(3):107-124.Google Scholar
26. Prizzia, R. The role of coordination in disaster management. In: Public Administration and Public Policy. Chapter 5. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2008:75-98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
27. Djalali, A, Castren, M, Khankeh, H, et al. Hospital disaster preparedness as measured by functional capacity: a comparison between Iran and Sweden. Prehosp Disaster Med . 2013;28(05):454-4461. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1049023X13008807.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed