Concurrent Sessions 3
Thursday, November 3, 2022 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Concurrent Sessions 3 is divided into two sections: Concurrent Sessions 3A (11:00 – 11:45 AM) and Concurrent Sessions 3B (11:45 AM – 12:30 PM).
For a brief overview of the presentations occurring during Concurrent Sessions 3, please consult the tables below. Please note that mini-orals are listed on a separate page.
To view the full abstracts, please scroll down further or use the links in the tables below.
Concurrent Sessions 3A (11:00 – 11:45 AM)
Mini-Orals | Location: Coal Harbour Ballroom
(Click here to view the list of mini-orals)
Topic: Work and Injury | Location: Grouse Room
Moderator: Brandy Tanenbaum
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Presenting Author
Abstract Title
Type
Topic: Child and Youth Outdoor Play | Location: Seymour Room
Moderator: Michelle Bauer
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Presenting Author
Abstract Title
Type
Concurrent Sessions 3B (11:45 AM – 12:30 PM)
Mini-Orals | Location: Coal Harbour Ballroom
(Click here to view the list of mini-orals)
Topic: Falls and Older Adults | Location: Grouse Room
Moderator: Denise Beaton
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Presenting Author
Abstract Title
Type
Topic: Road Safety | Location: Seymour Room
Moderator: Marie-Soleil Cloutier
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Presenting Author
Abstract Title
Type
List of abstracts
| Jump to topic: | ||||
| Mini-Orals | Work and Injury | Child and Youth Outdoor Play | Falls and Older Adults | Road Safety |
Abstract #2309: Injuries experienced by Female Firefighters in North America
Presenting Author: Samantha Pawer1
Authors: Samantha Pawer1, Kate Turcotte1,; Ediriweera Desapriya1, Alex Zheng1, Amanat Purewal1, Alyssa Wellar1, Kenneth Kunz2, Medical Oncologist, Len Garis1,3, Larry S. Thomas4, Ian Pike1,5
1BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit
2Medical Oncologist
3University of the Fraser Valley
4Surrey Fire Service
5University of British Columbia
Abstract:
Introduction: Firefighting is a physically demanding occupation in a hazardous environment. The majority of studies involving firefighters report on males only. However, there are approximately 95,145 female firefighters in North America, accounting for 4% of Canadian and 8% of American firefighters. This study described the demographic characteristics, life experiences, and firefighting experiences of female firefighters in terms of work-related injuries, and characterized the events surrounding these injuries.
Methods: An online survey was available to female firefighters from June 2019 to July 2020, soliciting information on their demographic characteristics, life and firefighting experiences, and work-related injuries. The final sample included 1,160 active female firefighters from the United States (US) and Canada. Descriptive analyses characterized variables by the presence or absence of work-related injury, injury severity, department, and country of residence.
Results: A total of 742 female firefighters (64%) reported at least one work-related injury. US respondents made up 67% of the total sample and 75% of those who experienced injury; this proportion increased with increasing injury severity. Injured respondents had: been in the fire service longer; a greater number of fires and toxic exposures; higher weight; more tobacco use; and more alcohol consumption than non-injured respondents. Respondents attributed their injuries primarily to human error and firefighter fatigue. Among those who reported an injury-related time loss claim, 69% were wearing protective equipment while injured, and 9% reported new policies resulting from their injury.
Conclusions: Understanding injury events among female firefighters can support the development and evaluation of health and wellness policies, resource designation, surveillance, and prevention strategies to make the workplace safer for, and more supportive of, females in the fire service.
Abstract #2221: Leveraging Technology: An Innovative Organizational Approach to Workplace Violence Prevention in Homecare
Presenting Author: Janet Chan1
Authors: Emily King, Janet Chan, and Adam Benn
1VHA Home Healthcare
Abstract: Personal Support Workers (PSWs) – one of the largest workforce in homecare, and one of the most vulnerable. Homecare PSWs working alone in unsupervised and unmonitored environments are amongst the least supported when it comes to workplace violence. Sent into clients’ homes with minimal information and unaware of risks, the PSW often receives pertinent client information weeks after their initial visit.
Violence and harassment are ubiquitously under-reported in health care and accepted as part of the job. With limited research and validated risk assessment tools for this uniquely vulnerable population, home care PSWs are at heightened risk for workplace violence and harassment.
The purpose of our pilot project is to create a supportive infrastructure for homecare PSWs to minimize and prevent the occurrence of workplace violence and harassment. Leveraging information systems, we aim to increase transparency and reporting of all workplace violence and harassment – including the ‘minor’ incidents frequently viewed by healthcare workers in all sectors as ‘just part of the job’.
Our multi-pronged intervention incorporates: 1) education; 2) a violence risk screening conversation via phone prior to the first PSW visit; and 3) an end-of-visit violence and harassment reporting tool. Using a staggered approach, our pilot will include formal and informal feedback from approximately 50 PSWs, and data collected through documentation and reports. We will present: usage rates for the system; reported incident rates; reported incident severity; the types of incidents reported, and the types of strategies that PSWs share with their colleagues through the reporting system.
Violence and harassment, particularly when related to clients’ diagnoses, are widely known to be normalized and under-reported in all areas of health care. Our pilot aims to change this culture through a combination of education, screening and reporting. Practical lessons from implementation will be shared.
Abstract #2243: Evaluation of the Concussion Awareness Training Tool for Women’s Support Workers
Presenting Author: Paul van Donkelaar1
Authors: Blake Nicol1, Shambhu Adhikari1, Alanna Shwed2, Stephanie Ashton2, Denise Beaton3, Karen Mason3, Heather Gainforth1, Shelina Babul4, Paul van Donkelaar1
1University of British Columbia – Okanagan
2BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit
3SOAR Project
4University of British Columbia – Vancouver
Abstract:
Introduction: Women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) are at high risk of suffering a brain injury (BI). Most women’s shelters staff are not aware of IPV-caused BIs and do not typically screen clients for BIs. Online training may help them provide better BI-informed care for their clients.
Objectives: Our objective was to develop, and measure the effectiveness of, a new module within the Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) specifically focused on IPV-caused BI.
Methods: Participants were surveyed about their IPV-caused BI knowledge before and after completing the CATT for Women’s Support Workers (CATT-WSW) module. A subset of participants also completed a 1-on-1 interview 6 months post-training to better understand what effect the training had on how they worked with women in their job.
Results: Eighty-five participants recruited from amongst staff at women’s shelters across Canada completed the pre-survey, the online training, and the post-survey. The average BI knowledge score increased significantly (p<0.0001, effect size: 0.5) from the pre-survey (8.17¬±1.1/12) to the post-survey (9.79¬±1.8/12). Furthermore, nine participants completed the one-on-one interview six months post-training. An analysis of the interviews highlighted three main themes arising from the eLearning module: knowledge, mindfulness, and advocacy. All participants felt their awareness and knowledge of IPV-caused BIs had increased from the training and said they would recommend the training to co-workers.
Conclusion: Women’s shelter staff have typically lacked training with regards to IPV-caused BIs. The results from this study showed the CATT-WSW eLearning module was effective in increasing awareness and knowledge of IPV-caused BIs amongst women’s shelter staff as well as improving how they advocate for, and are mindful of, their clients with BIs. This online training may help improve the care women with IPV-caused BIs receive, and ultimately improve their quality of life.
Abstract #2232: Bring education outdoors: A workshop to promote outdoor play and learning
Presenting Authors: Megan Zeni1, Emma Raaflaub1
Authors: Megan Zeni1, Emma Raaflaub1 , Christina Han, Mariana Brussoni
1 University of British Columbia
Workshop Objectives:
- Understanding the importance of outdoor play and learning in school and community settings.
- Understanding the difference between risks and hazards in the elementary school context.
- Applying how to use a risk-benefit assessment to improve equitable access to outdoor play and learning
- Analyzing practical solutions and examples of risky play in practice in a school and community context
Workshop Description: Modern children spend most of their day in school settings where educators have opportunities to provide children with rich opportunities for outdoor play and learning that they may not otherwise experience in their home or community. Outdoor play and learning is vital to connect children with the land on which they learn, live, and play. Outdoor play and learning promotes resilience, self-confidence, social connectedness, physical activity, and risk management. Despite a desire to incorporate learning outdoors, educators face numerous barriers from within the education system, local school culture, and society’s perspectives of outdoor play and learning, as well as limited access to outdoor learning environments. In this workshop, leaders in injury prevention will be introduced to the benefits of ensuring equitable access for outdoor play and learning for all children in Canadian elementary schools. The proposed workshop aims to bring awareness to health professionals so they may support advocacy efforts designed to increase access to outdoor and risky play in school settings. This will be done by clearly defining and demonstrating through images what unstructured and risky play looks like in the school years. Participants will be invited to consider the benefits of unstructured and risky play in childhood while weighing considerations for group safety and environmental considerations. This workshop will also introduce an intervention tool for elementary school educators. The tool is part of a broader research project called Bring Education Outdoors (BE OUT). The BE OUT tool intends to be an additional tool that will be added to existing tools which can be found on the Outsideplay.ca website. The BE OUT project is a digital suite of tools designed to support knowledge translation of the benefits of outdoor play and learning specifically with elementary school teachers.
Abstract #2285: “Cookies and Play” critical design elements for seniors’ fall prevention exercise programs
Presenting Author: Debbie Cheong1
Authors: Debbie Cheong1, Avneet Hayer1
1 BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre
Workshop Objectives:
- Identify changes that occur with aging that can contribute to increased risk for falls.
- Describe important components of an exercise program to improve seniors’ ability to reduce risk of falls.
- Apply engaging methods to increase participation and retention in exercise programs to build strength and improve speed and agility to reduce falls.
Workshop Description: Sedentary lifestyles and the built environment can contribute to declining mobility and functional strength of many seniors as they age and increase their risk for falls. Engaging in physical activity and exercise is important to maintain and improve strength and balance. This supports independence and good quality of life. Yet, participation and retention in exercise programs has always been a challenge for many seniors. Because of the increasing frailty of this population, many programs only offer seated exercises even to those who are able to walk. This limits participants’ ability to practice standing as well as dynamic balance and functional activities.
This interactive workshop will allow participants to explore and experience some effects of poor posture, sedentary behaviour, painful joints, limitations in mobility, and some unintended consequences of reliance on walking aids. Participants attending this session should be prepared to move/be active.
Workshop participants will have opportunities to engage in simple playful activities that recruit neglected muscles, activate fast twitch muscle fibres, challenge memory and cognition, and make exercise fun with options to safely incorporate standing. At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to apply more effective strategies that promote participation and retention in exercise programs for fall prevention.
Three panelists will present and discuss:
Taking Action: The global plan for the new Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030
Julie Taylor, Parachute
British Columbia Vision Zero in road safety grant program
Neil Arason, Island Health Authority, BC
Parachute Vision Zero: the Canadian landscape
Stephanie Cowle, Parachute