Organizing Health Care Services for the 2017 “Athens Marathon, The Authentic:” Perspectives on Collaboration among Health and Safety Personnel in the Marathon Command Center

Abstract

Introduction:Mass gatherings pose unique challenges for interorganizational collaboration. The “Athens Marathon, The Authentic” is a 42,195m (26.2mile) race with approximately 18,000 runners that increases annually. On the same day, additional races take place and a grand total of more than 50,000 runners fill the city center of Athens, Greece. Responding effectively to unexpected incidents requires comprehensive planning, clear decision-making structure, and effective collaboration. Nonetheless, there is limited empirical evidence to support interagency collaboration in mass gatherings.Purpose:This study used the 2017 Athens Marathon and related races as the empirical setting to examine how interagency collaboration was perceived among the multiple public health and safety professionals involved in the marathon command center.Methods:Data comprised 10 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with key informants, direct observations of meetings and the event itself, and documentary analysis. Open coding and thematic analysis were used to analyze the data.Results:Findings indicated four key components of interagency collaboration in such an event: organizational culture, team synthesis, on-site spatial planning, and the usage of radio-amateurs.Conclusion:This study outlined the factors that shaped interagency collaboration in the context of a mass event. Practical implications arising from this study may inform the ways organizers of marathons and other mass sporting events can engage in effective partnerships and joint working.

Interorganizational Communication at Mass Gatherings: Professionals’ Perceptions during the Planning and Implementation Stage of Marathon Events

“…14,27 Based on the data analysis, this study emphasized that the involved organizations had significant cultural differences based on their knowledge, tasks, training, and organizational structure which resulted in a limited understanding of each other's norms and procedures and ineffective communication. 13,28 In line with existing literature, the use of common terminology and a common understanding of who is responsible for what task, and what the information requirements are, influenced interorganizational communication. 28 The interviewees indicated that the participating agencies with a history of interaction had good and established relationships which enabled communication.…”

“…Three studies have suggested that interorganizational linkages enable organizations to build relationships, facilitate the development of integrated plans, and ensure timely and accurate information sharing across the agencies. 12,13,31 The current study highlights that the application of this mechanism is also necessary during the planning stage of such events to reinforce the integration of communication plans and systems and to enhance interorganizational understanding and decision making.…”

“…Interorganizational communication is a critical factor during MGs. 10,12,13,[22][23][24][25][26] This study explored the factors that constituted interagency communication during the planning and implementation stage of the 2017 Athens Marathon and contributes to the existing literature in multiple respects. Consistent with the literature, complex structure, poor communication, and poor coordination between different agencies and teams can result in delays in decision making.…”

“…[10][11][12] Bistaraki, et al discussed the importance of interagency communication in marathon events and identified that the physical structure of the agencies on site and the usage of radio-amateurs played an important role in receiving timely information among the different agencies. 13 Another study highlighted that interagency communication is one of the major challenges faced while planning and implementing such a sporting event; hence, more research is needed on how organizations effectively communicate throughout a MG. 14 Therefore, the purpose of this study was to further explore how interorganizational communication was perceived among the multiple public health and safety professionals during the planning and implementation phase of the 2017 Athens Marathon, The Authentic.…”

Review of Injury Patterns of the 2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon to Optimize Medical Planning

“…By better understanding what medical resources and personnel are needed at various distances of a marathon, health care professionals can be better equipped to handle injuries. Event planners can utilize this information to reduce waste and improve efficiency in distribution of supplies as well as personnel (12,25). Ultimately, additional longitudinal studies that enhance the strength of prediction models for injury patterns in marathon racing can serve to improve the care of runners and potentially save lives.…”