Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-ph5wq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-29T08:20:53.235Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Improving Olympic Health Services: What are the Common Health Care Planning Issues?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 October 2014

Kostas Kononovas*
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Health Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
Georgia Black
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Health Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
Jayne Taylor
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Health Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
Rosalind Raine
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Health Research, University College London, London, United Kingdom
*
Correspondence: Kostas Kononovas, MSc Department of Applied Health Research University College London 1 - 19 Torrington Place London, WC1E 7HB United Kingdom E-mail kononovas.kostas@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction

Due to their scale, the Olympic and Paralympic Games have the potential to place significant strain on local health services. The Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, Vancouver 2010, and London 2012 Olympic host cities shared their experiences by publishing reports describing health care arrangements.

Hypothesis

Olympic planning reports were compared to highlight best practices, to understand whether and which lessons are transferable, and to identify recurring health care planning issues for future hosts.

Methods

A structured, critical, qualitative analysis of all available Olympic health care reports was conducted. Recommendations and issues with implications for future Olympic host cities were extracted from each report.

Results

The six identified themes were: (1) the importance of early planning and relationship building: clarifying roles early to agree on responsibility and expectations, and engaging external and internal groups in the planning process from the start; (2) the development of appropriate medical provision: most health care needs are addressed inside Olympic venues rather than by hospitals which do not experience significant increases in attendance during the Games; (3) preparing for risks: gastrointestinal and food-borne illnesses are the most common communicable diseases experienced during the Games, but the incidence is still very low; (4) addressing the security risk: security arrangements are one of the most resource-demanding tasks; (5) managing administration and logistical issues: arranging staff permission to work at Games venues (“accreditation”) is the most complex administrative task that is likely to encounter delays and errors; and (6) planning and assessing health legacy programs: no previous Games were able to demonstrate that their health legacy initiatives were effective. Although each report identified similar health care planning issues, subsequent Olympic host cities did not appear to have drawn on the transferable experiences of previous host cities.

Conclusion

Repeated recommendations and lessons from host cities show that similar health care planning issues occur despite different health systems. To improve health care planning and delivery, host cities should pay heed to the specific planning issues that have been highlighted. It is also advisable to establish good communication with organizers from previous Games to learn first-hand about planning from previous hosts.

KononovasK, BlackG, TaylorJ, RaineR. Improving Olympic Health Services: What are the Common Health Care Planning Issues?Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(6):1-6.

Type
Original Research
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2014 

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. The London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. London 2012 Media Fact Pack. http://cdn.londonandpartners.com/l-and-p/assets/travel-trade/london-2012-travel-trade-media-pack.pdf. Published 2012. Accessed October 11, 2013.Google Scholar
2. Abubakar, I, Gautret, P, Brunette, GW, et al. Global perspectives for prevention of infectious diseases associated with mass gatherings. Lancet Infect Dis. 2012;12(1):66-74.Google Scholar
3. Varon, J, Fromm, RE, Chanin, K, et al. Critical illness at mass gatherings is uncommon. J Emerg Med. 2003;25(4):409-413.Google Scholar
4. Tsitsimpikou, CH, Tsiokanos, A, Tsarouhas, K, et al. Medication use by athletes at the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games. Clin J Sport Med. 2009;19(1):33-38.Google Scholar
5. Engebretsen, L, Steffen, K, Alonso, JM, et al. Sports injuries and illnesses during the Winter Olympic Games 2010. Br J Sports Med. 2010;44(11):772-780.Google Scholar
6. Visotina, M, Hills, M. NSW Health Services for the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games. New South Wales Health Department. Sydney, Australia; 2000.Google Scholar
7. Tsouros, AD, Efstathiou, PA. Mass Gatherings and Public Health: The Experience of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Copenhagen, Denmark: World Health Organization Europe; 2007.Google Scholar
8. Dapeng, J, Ljungqvist, A, Troedsson, H. The Health Legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Successes and Recommendations. Manila, Philippines: World Health Organization Western Pacific Region; 2010.Google Scholar
9. NHS London. The NHS in London Supporting the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. Program Overview (no. one in a series of four reports). London, UK; 2012.Google Scholar
10. NHS London. Health Service Planning and Delivery (no. two in a series of four reports). London, UK; 2012.Google Scholar
11. NHS London. Health Emergency Preparedness, Resilience, and Response (no. three in a series of four reports). London, UK; 2012.Google Scholar
12. NHS London. Go London! The Legacy of Better Health for Londoners (no. four in a series of four reports). London, UK; 2012.Google Scholar
13. Health Protection Agency. London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Summary Report of the Health Protection Agency's Games Time Activities. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140714084352/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1317137705751. Published 2012. Accessed October 15, 2013.Google Scholar
14. McCloskey, B, Endericks, T. Learning from London 2012: a practice guide to public health and mass gatherings. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140714084352/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webc/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1317138422305. Published 2012. Accessed October 15, 2013.Google Scholar
15. Vancouver Coastal Health. Vancouver Coastal Health 2010 Concept of Operations: Planning for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Lessons Learned. Vancouver, Canada: 2010.Google Scholar
16. Fereday, J, Muir-Cochrane, E. Demonstrating rigor using thematic analysis: a hybrid approach of inductive and deductive coding and theme development. Int J Qual Methods. 2008;5(1):80-92.Google Scholar
17. Xing, G, Wuchun, C, Hezuo, J, et al. “Public health preparation for potential nuclear, biological, chemical, and explosive terrorist attacks.” In: Dapeng J, Ljungqvist A, Troedsson H, (eds). The Health Legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Successes and Recommendations. Manila, Philippines: World Health Organization Western Pacific Region; 2010:62-77.Google Scholar
18. Baka, A, Isaakidis, P, Ferentinos, G, et al. “Public health preparedness for incidents involving the potential deliberate use of biological and chemical agents or radionuclear material.” In: Tsouros AD, Efstathiou PA, (eds). Mass Gatherings and Public Health: The Experience of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Copenhagen, Denmark: World Health Organization Europe; 2007:97-127.Google Scholar
19. Xing, G, Hua, B, Jun, X, et al. “Health emergency preparedness and international cooperation.” In: Dapeng J, Ljungqvist A, Troedsson H, (eds). The Health Legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Successes and Recommendations. Manila, Philippines: World Health Organization Western Pacific Region; 2010:116-125.Google Scholar
20. Tsourous, AD, Efstathiou, PA. Mass Gatherings and Public Health: The Experience of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Copenhagen, Denmark: World Health Organization Europe; 2007.Google Scholar
21. Dongming, L, Zhengmao, L. “Ensuring Health Security in the Health Legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Successes and Recommendations.” In: Dapeng J, Ljungqvist A, Troedsson H, (eds). The Health Legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Successes and Recommendations. Manila, Philippines: World Health Organization Western Pacific Region; 2010:22-25.Google Scholar
22. Xiaohong, D, Dalong, Q, Jing, Ch, et al. “Medical services in the city.” In: Dapeng J, Ljungqvist A, Troedsson H, (eds). The Health Legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Successes and Recommendations. Manila, Philippines: World Health Organization Western Pacific Region; 2010:35-41.Google Scholar
23. Renström, P, Jiyong, G, Jianping, D, et al. “Medical service for athletes.” In: Dapeng J, Ljungqvist A, Troedsson H, (eds). The Health Legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Successes and Recommendations. Manila, Philippines: World Health Organization Western Pacific Region; 2010:42-52.Google Scholar
24. Parisis, C, Pyrros, D, Ditsios, K, et al. “Health Services Department of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee.” In: Tsouros AD, Efstathiou PA, (eds). Mass Gatherings and Public Health: The Experience of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Copenhagen, Denmark: World Health Organization Europe; 2007:237-252.Google Scholar
25. Mavroidi, N, Mavroidi, T, Mavroidi, X, et al. “Preparing epidemiological surveillance and response for communicable diseases.” In: Tsouros AD, Efstathiou PA, (eds). Mass Gatherings and Public Health: The Experience of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Copenhagen, Denmark: World Health Organization Europe; 2007:49-66.Google Scholar
26. Tao, Z, Xinghuo, P, Ting, G, et al. “Risk assessment.” In: Dapeng J, Ljungqvist A, Troedsson H, (eds). The Health Legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Successes and Recommendations. Manila, Philippines: World Health Organization Western Pacific Region; 2010:126-134.Google Scholar
27. Panagiotopoulos, T, Mavroidi, N, Spala, G, et al. “Experience of epidemiological surveillance and response for communicable diseases.” In: Tsouros AD, Efstathiou PA, (eds). Mass Gatherings and Public Health: The Experience of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Copenhagen, Denmark: World Health Organization Europe; 2007:67-80.Google Scholar
28. Chunhui, Z, Tao, Zh, Ying, D, et al. “Prevention and control of communicable diseases.” In: Dapeng J, Ljungqvist A, Troedsson H, (eds). The Health Legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Successes and Recommendations. Manila, Philippines: World Health Organization Western Pacific Region; 2010:53-61.Google Scholar
29. Hadjichristodoulou, C, Mouchtouri, V, Kourea-Kremastinou, J. “Environmental health surveillance and management of food and water safety.” In: Tsouros AD, Efstathiou PA, (eds). Mass Gatherings and Public Health: The Experience of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Copenhagen, Denmark: World Health Organization Europe; 2007:131-160.Google Scholar
30. Vassiliadou, D, Apostolopolous, Ch, Panteleaki, D, et al. “Food safety and the role of the Hellenic Food Authority.” In: Dapeng J, Ljungqvist A, Troedsson H, (eds). The Health Legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Successes and Recommendations. Manila, Philippines: World Health Organization Western Pacific Region; 2010:161-176.Google Scholar
31. Stergachis, A, Tsouros, AD. “Overview and framework.” In: Tsouros AD, Efstathiou PA, (eds). Mass Gatherings and Public Health: The Experience of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Copenhagen, Denmark: World Health Organization Europe; 2007:3-28.Google Scholar
32. Htun-Hansen, OS, Shamasch, P, Mascagni, K, et al. “The HIV Campaign.” In: Dapeng J, Ljungqvist A, Troedsson H, (eds). The Health Legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Successes and Recommendations. Manila, Philippines: World Health Organization Western Pacific Region; 2010:153-163.Google Scholar
33. Efstathiou, PA, Tsouros, AD, Knebel, A, et al. “Health sector command, coordination and communication.” In: Tsouros AD, Efstathiou PA, (eds). Mass Gatherings and Public Health: The Experience of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Copenhagen, Denmark: World Health Organization Europe; 2007:269-284.Google Scholar
34. Ljungqvist, A, Catlin, A, Wu, M, et al. “Anti-doping activities.” In: Dapeng J, Ljungqvist A, Troedsson H, (eds). The Health Legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Successes and Recommendations. Manila, Philippines: World Health Organization Western Pacific Region; 2010:164-173.Google Scholar
35. Troedsson, H, Ljungqvist, A, Wei, W, et al. “Towards a healthier city with an Olympic health legacy.” In: Dapeng J, Ljungqvist A, Troedsson H, (eds). The Health Legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Successes and Recommendations. Manila, Philippines: World Health Organization Western Pacific Region; 2010:4-8.Google Scholar
36. Tsouros, AD, Lekka, M, Minogiannis, P, et al. “Disease prevention and health promotion activities.” In: Tsouros AD, Efstathiou PA, (eds). Mass Gatherings and Public Health: The Experience of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. Copenhagen, Denmark: World Health Organization Europe; 2007:253-268.Google Scholar
37. Zejun, L, Xianli, S, Xiaobo, C, et al. “Tobacco control in The Health Legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: successes and recommendations.” In: Dapeng J, Ljungqvist A, Troedsson H, (eds). The Health Legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Successes and Recommendations. Manila, Philippines: World Health Organization Western Pacific Region; 2010:135-143.Google Scholar
38. O'Leary, M, Laiying, F, Tunon, C, et al. “Public health achievements and lessons for the future.” In: Dapeng J, Ljungqvist A, Troedsson H, (eds). The Health Legacy of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: Successes and Recommendations. Manila, Philippines: World Health Organization Western Pacific Region; 2010:186-191.Google Scholar
39. Murphy, NM, Bauman, A. Mass sporting and physical activity events: are they bread and circuses or public health interventions to increase population levels of physical activity? J Phys Act Health. 2007;4(2):193-202.Google Scholar
40. Weed, M, Coren, E, Fiore, J, et al. A Systematic Review of Evidence Base of Developing a Physical Activity and Health Legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Canterbury, UK; 2007.Google Scholar
41. Deering, KN, Chettiar, J, Chan, K, Taylor, M, Montaner, JSG, Shannon, K. Sex work and the public health impacts of the 2010 Olympic Games. Sexually Transmitted Infections. 2012;88(4):301-303.Google Scholar
42. International Olympic Committee. Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics. http://www.olympic.org/sydney-2000-summer-olympics. Published 2000. Accessed July 16, 2012.Google Scholar
43. SOCOG. Official report of the XXVII Olympiad. Preparing for the Games. 2001; Sydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games.Google Scholar
44. International Olympic Committee. Marketing Report Athens 2004. http://www.olympic.org/marketing/documents-reports-studies-publications. Published 2004. Accessed July 16, 2012.Google Scholar
45. International Olympic Committee. Athens 2004 Summer Olympics. http://www.olympic.org/athens-2004-summer-olympics. Published 2004. Accessed July 16, 2012.Google Scholar
46. International Olympic Committee. Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. http://www.olympic.org/beijing-2008-summer-olympics. Published 2012. Accessed July 16, 2012.Google Scholar
47. PricewaterhouseCoopers. The Games Effect. Report 7: Global Summary of the Impact of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games on British Columbia and Canada 2003 to 2010. http://www.fin.gov.bc.ca/reports/PwC_The_Games_Effect_Summary_Report_7_2010_EN_FINAL.PDF. Published 2011. Accessed September 20, 2012.Google Scholar
48. International Olympic Committee. Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010. http://www.olympic.org/vancouver-2010-winter-olympics. Published 2010. Accessed July 16, 2012.Google Scholar
49. Taunton, J. Vancouver 2010 Medical Services. http://www.bcsls.net/pages/documents/Taunton-MedicalServices.pdf. Published 2010. Accessed September 20, 2012.Google Scholar
50. London Paralympics: What Next for 2012 Games Makers? The BBC News Service Web site. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19512993. Accessed November 20, 2012.Google Scholar