@article{ref1,
title="The Bolivian trauma patient's experience: a qualitative needs assessment",
journal="Injury",
year="2020",
author="Rook, Jordan M. and Wood, Ethan and Boeck, Marissa A. and Blair, Kevin J. and Monroy, Alexa and Ludi, Erica and Keller, Eric J. and Victorson, David and Foianini, Esteban and Swaroop, Mamta",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Despite a significant burden of injury-related deaths, the Plurinational State of Bolivia (Bolivia), a lower- middle-income country in South America, lacks a  formalized trauma system. This study sought to examine Bolivian trauma care from the  patient perspective in order to determine barriers to care and targets for  improvement. <br><br>METHODS: Investigators conducted 15 semi-structured interviews with  trauma patients admitted at four hospitals in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia in  June and July of 2016. Interviews were transcribed, translated, and analyzed through  content and discourse analysis to identify key themes and perceptions of trauma  care. <br><br>RESULTS: Participants primarily presented with orthopedic injuries due to road  traffic incidents and falls. Only one participant reported receiving first aid from  a layperson at the scene of injury. Of the 15 participants, 12 did not know any  number to contact emergency medical services (EMS). Participants expressed negative  views of EMS as well as concerns for slow response times and inadequate personnel  and training. Two thirds of participants were initially brought to a hospital  without adequate resources to care for their injuries. Participants generally  expressed positive views regarding healthcare workers involved in their  hospital-based medical care. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This region of Bolivia has a disorganized,  underutilized, and distrusted trauma system. In order to increase survival,  interventions should focus on improving prehospital trauma care. Potential  interventions include the implementation of layperson trauma first responder  courses, the establishment of a medical emergency hotline, the unification of EMS,  the implementation of basic training requirements for EMS personnel, and public  education campaigns to increase trust in EMS.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0020-1383",
doi="10.1016/j.injury.2020.12.014",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2020.12.014"
}