Exploring Key Roles of College Gatekeepers in Emergency Management: Perspectives of Students

Abstract

This study examines the roles of college gatekeepers such as heads of institutions, hall wardens, hall masters/mistresses, and college nurses in managing student health emergencies in Ghana’s public Colleges of Education. Although these gatekeepers are not health professionals, they have crucial roles in facilitating or hindering emergency responses. Using a qualitative, content analysis approach, data were collected from 40 students selected from colleges across the Northern, Middle, and Southern Belts of Ghana. These participants had either received emergency care at their college clinic or been referred to a hospital for emergency care between January and December 2023. The analysis was guided by the 4Cs framework of emergency management: communication, coordination, collaboration, and cooperation. Findings showed that effective communication and interdepartmental coordination among gatekeepers improved emergency response. Long-standing partnerships between colleges and local health facilities supported smoother referrals and continuity of care. However, lapses in communication, delays in referrals, and absenteeism among gatekeepers negatively affected emergency outcomes. The study concludes that strengthening cooperation, leadership, and timely information flow among college gatekeepers is vital for effective emergency management in Ghana’s colleges of education.