Learning the lessons for public health from the COVID-19 pandemic across British island communities: findings of a peer support group based on action learning
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic was a major public health challenge for island communities. Consequently, a peer support group was set up across British islands, led by Directors of Public Health, with the aim of using an action research approach to identify and share learning to inform aspec...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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James Cook University
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Rural and Remote Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.rrh.org.au/journal/article/7136/ |
| _version_ | 1797793139333791744 |
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| author | Maggie Watts Pip Farman Hugo van Woerden |
| author_facet | Maggie Watts Pip Farman Hugo van Woerden |
| author_sort | Maggie Watts |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic was a major public health challenge for island communities. Consequently, a peer support group was set up across British islands, led by Directors of Public Health, with the aim of using an action research approach to identify and share learning to inform aspects of the management of COVID-19 that were unique to island communities.
Methods: Qualitative analysis of nine group discussions over 13 months was undertaken. Key themes were identified based on two sets of independent records of the meetings. The findings were shared with representatives of the group and refined on the basis of that feedback.
Results: Key learning points were around the importance of border control to minimise the importation of new cases, a rapid coordinated response to clusters of disease when these occurred, close cooperation with organisations that provide transport on and off the island, and effective communication and engagement with both local and visiting populations.
Conclusion: A peer support group was effective in providing mutual support and shared learning across quite varied island contexts. There was a sense that this had helped in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic and facilitated in maintaining a low prevalence of infection.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T02:43:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-eecf50e02d9446a893c46efde525e211 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1445-6354 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T02:43:57Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | James Cook University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Rural and Remote Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-eecf50e02d9446a893c46efde525e2112023-06-28T20:24:49ZengJames Cook UniversityRural and Remote Health1445-63542023-06-012310.22605/RRH7136Learning the lessons for public health from the COVID-19 pandemic across British island communities: findings of a peer support group based on action learningMaggie Watts0Pip Farman1Hugo van Woerden2NHS Western Isles, 37 South Beach, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, UKNHS Highland, Assynt House, Inverness, Scotland, UKCentre for Health Science, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness, Scotland, UK; Institute of Nursing and Health Research, Ulster University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK; and Centre for Rural Health, Centre for Health Science, University of Aberdeen, Inverness, Scotland, UK Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic was a major public health challenge for island communities. Consequently, a peer support group was set up across British islands, led by Directors of Public Health, with the aim of using an action research approach to identify and share learning to inform aspects of the management of COVID-19 that were unique to island communities. Methods: Qualitative analysis of nine group discussions over 13 months was undertaken. Key themes were identified based on two sets of independent records of the meetings. The findings were shared with representatives of the group and refined on the basis of that feedback. Results: Key learning points were around the importance of border control to minimise the importation of new cases, a rapid coordinated response to clusters of disease when these occurred, close cooperation with organisations that provide transport on and off the island, and effective communication and engagement with both local and visiting populations. Conclusion: A peer support group was effective in providing mutual support and shared learning across quite varied island contexts. There was a sense that this had helped in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic and facilitated in maintaining a low prevalence of infection. https://www.rrh.org.au/journal/article/7136/COVID-19island communitieshealth protectionScotland. |
| spellingShingle | Maggie Watts Pip Farman Hugo van Woerden Learning the lessons for public health from the COVID-19 pandemic across British island communities: findings of a peer support group based on action learning Rural and Remote Health COVID-19 island communities health protection Scotland. |
| title | Learning the lessons for public health from the COVID-19 pandemic across British island communities: findings of a peer support group based on action learning |
| title_full | Learning the lessons for public health from the COVID-19 pandemic across British island communities: findings of a peer support group based on action learning |
| title_fullStr | Learning the lessons for public health from the COVID-19 pandemic across British island communities: findings of a peer support group based on action learning |
| title_full_unstemmed | Learning the lessons for public health from the COVID-19 pandemic across British island communities: findings of a peer support group based on action learning |
| title_short | Learning the lessons for public health from the COVID-19 pandemic across British island communities: findings of a peer support group based on action learning |
| title_sort | learning the lessons for public health from the covid 19 pandemic across british island communities findings of a peer support group based on action learning |
| topic | COVID-19 island communities health protection Scotland. |
| url | https://www.rrh.org.au/journal/article/7136/ |
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