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Xu X, Xie Y, Li H, Wang X, Shi S, Yang Z, Lan Y, Han J, Liu Y. Awareness and preparedness level of medical workers for radiation and nuclear emergency response. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1410722. [PMID: 38952739 PMCID: PMC11215176 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1410722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Radiological science and nuclear technology have made great strides in the twenty-first century, with wide-ranging applications in various fields, including energy, medicine, and industry. However, those developments have been accompanied by the inherent risks of exposure to nuclear radiation, which is a source of concern owing to its potentially adverse effects on human health and safety and which is of particular relevance to medical personnel who may be exposed to certain cancers associated with low-dose radiation in their working environment. While medical radiation workers have seen a decrease in their occupational exposure since the 1950s thanks to improved measures for radiation protection, a concerning lack of understanding and awareness persists among medical professionals regarding these potential hazards and the required safety precautions. This issue is further compounded by insufficient capabilities in emergency response. This highlights the urgent need to strengthen radiation safety education and training to ensure the well-being of medical staff who play a critical role in radiological and nuclear emergencies. This review examines the health hazards of nuclear radiation to healthcare workers and the awareness and willingness and education of healthcare workers on radiation protection, calling for improved training programs and emergency response skills to mitigate the risks of radiation exposure in the occupational environment, providing a catalyst for future enhancement of radiation safety protocols and fostering of a culture of safety in the medical community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Xu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Global Health Institute, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Department of Oncology and Occupational Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanjun Xie
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Global Health Institute, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Hongqiu Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Global Health Institute, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xining Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Global Health Institute, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Shaoteng Shi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Global Health Institute, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Zhihao Yang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Global Health Institute, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yuemin Lan
- Department of Oncology and Occupational Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jing Han
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Global Health Institute, Health Science Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yulong Liu
- Department of Oncology and Occupational Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Wang AQ, Cheng WD, Fu YY, Luo YS, Li J, Wang HY, Jin CL. Development and initial validation of the career resilience instrument for CDC emergency responders in China within the context of public health emergencies: based on a survey conducted in Shanghai. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1327738. [PMID: 38515597 PMCID: PMC10955067 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1327738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background China faces various public health emergencies, and emergency responders at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC emergency responders) are a mainstay in responding to public health emergencies. Career resilience can help CDC emergency responders to effectively respond to and recover from public health emergencies, but there is no specific measurement instrument available. In this study, we aimed to develop and conduct an initial validation of the career resilience instrument for CDC emergency responders in China within the context of public health emergencies from a process perspective. Methods Based on a survey conducted in Shanghai, interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA), which is a qualitative research approach to describing and analyzing individual experiences, was used to analyze the interview texts to develop the initial career resilience instrument for CDC emergency responders. The initial career resilience instrument was revised through two rounds of expert consultation. Cronbach's α coefficient and exploratory factor analysis were used to test the reliability and validity of the revised career resilience instrument. Results The initial career resilience instrument for CDC emergency responders contained three first-level measurement dimensions, 9 second-level measurement dimensions, and 52 measurement items. After expert consultation, the first-level and second-level measurement dimensions were not revised, 13 measurement items were deleted or revised, and six measurement items were added, resulting in 48 measurement items. The revised career resilience instrument was tested for good reliability and validity. Conclusion Career resilience for CDC emergency responders can be regarded as a set of protective factors and dynamic processes that can be cultivated and intervened in cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions to improve their ability to respond to and recover from public health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Qi Wang
- School of Public Health, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Wen-Di Cheng
- Department of Health Technology Assessment, Shanghai Health Development Research Center (Shanghai Medical Information Center), Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Yan Fu
- Department of Health Technology Assessment, Shanghai Health Development Research Center (Shanghai Medical Information Center), Shanghai, China
| | - Ya-Shuang Luo
- Department of Health Technology Assessment, Shanghai Health Development Research Center (Shanghai Medical Information Center), Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Li
- School of Public Health, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hai-Yin Wang
- Department of Health Technology Assessment, Shanghai Health Development Research Center (Shanghai Medical Information Center), Shanghai, China
| | - Chun-Lin Jin
- Department of Health Technology Assessment, Shanghai Health Development Research Center (Shanghai Medical Information Center), Shanghai, China
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Tang C, Chen X, Guan C, Fang P. Attitudes and Response Capacities for Public Health Emergencies of Healthcare Workers in Primary Healthcare Institutions: A Cross-Sectional Investigation Conducted in Wuhan, China, in 2020. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12204. [PMID: 36231505 PMCID: PMC9564888 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Response capacities for public health emergencies (PHEs) amongst healthcare workers play important roles in the prevention and control of PHEs. This study assessed the attitudes and response capacities of PHE workers in primary healthcare (PHC) institutions. METHODS An online anonymous questionnaire survey of 803 healthcare workers sampled from 13 PHC institutions in Wuhan, China, was conducted from April to June 2020. The Kruskal-Wallis test and linear regression model were used to analyze the response capacities of PHE workers and associated factors. RESULTS The healthcare workers with longer working years, particularly 30 years and above, had higher knowledge (OR = 7.323, p < 0.001) and practical ability scores (OR = 8.012, p < 0.001) when compared to those with less than 5 working years. The nurses had higher practical ability scores (OR = 2.188, p = 0.049), and pharmacists had lower practical ability scores (OR = 0.166, p = 0.007), when compared to doctors. Moreover, the healthcare workers who had never participated in educational activities related to PHE management in the past two years (OR = 0.540, p = 0.038; OR = 0.282, p = 0.001), had not participated in a PHE drill activity (OR = 0.327, p < 0.001; OR = 0.340, p = 0.004), and had never been involved in emergency management of PHEs (OR = 0.254, p < 0.001; OR = 0.174, p < 0.001) had lower knowledge and practical ability scores. CONCLUSION The healthcare workers with longer working years had better response capacities, and nurses had better practical abilities when compared to doctors. More emergency management education and chances to be involved in PHE drill activities were encouraged amongst healthcare workers in PHC institutions for better prevention and control of PHEs. Moreover, inter-institution cooperation, a flexible response system, and dynamic adjustment of healthcare workers were suggested during PHEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changmin Tang
- School of Management, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Xin Chen
- School of Management, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Cuiling Guan
- School of Management, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Pengqian Fang
- Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
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Developing Public Health Emergency Response Leaders in Incident Management: A Scoping Review of Educational Interventions. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2021; 16:2149-2178. [PMID: 34462032 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2021.164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
During emergency responses, public health leaders frequently serve in incident management roles that differ from their routine job functions. Leaders' familiarity with incident management principles and functions can influence response outcomes. Therefore, training and exercises in incident management are often required for public health leaders. To describe existing methods of incident management training and exercises in the literature, we queried 6 English language databases and found 786 relevant articles. Five themes emerged: (1) experiential learning as an established approach to foster engaging and interactive learning environments and optimize training design; (2) technology-aided decision support tools are increasingly common for crisis decision-making; (3) integration of leadership training in the education continuum is needed for developing public health response leaders; (4) equal emphasis on competency and character is needed for developing capable and adaptable leaders; and (5) consistent evaluation methodologies and metrics are needed to assess the effectiveness of educational interventions.These findings offer important strategic and practical considerations for improving the design and delivery of educational interventions to develop public health emergency response leaders. This review and ongoing real-world events could facilitate further exploration of current practices, emerging trends, and challenges for continuous improvements in developing public health emergency response leaders.
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Liu J, Jiang H, Zhang H, Guo C, Wang L, Yang J, Nie S. Use of social network analysis and global sensitivity and uncertainty analyses to better understand an influenza outbreak. Oncotarget 2018; 8:43417-43426. [PMID: 28177887 PMCID: PMC5522157 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In the summer of 2014, an influenza A(H3N2) outbreak occurred in Yichang city, Hubei province, China. A retrospective study was conducted to collect and interpret hospital and epidemiological data on it using social network analysis and global sensitivity and uncertainty analyses. Results for degree (χ2=17.6619, P<0.0001) and betweenness(χ2=21.4186, P<0.0001) centrality suggested that the selection of sampling objects were different between traditional epidemiological methods and newer statistical approaches. Clique and network diagrams demonstrated that the outbreak actually consisted of two independent transmission networks. Sensitivity analysis showed that the contact coefficient (k) was the most important factor in the dynamic model. Using uncertainty analysis, we were able to better understand the properties and variations over space and time on the outbreak. We concluded that use of newer approaches were significantly more efficient for managing and controlling infectious diseases outbreaks, as well as saving time and public health resources, and could be widely applied on similar local outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yichang City, Hubei, China
| | - Hongbo Jiang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yichang City, Hubei, China
| | - Chun Guo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yichang City, Hubei, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yichang City, Hubei, China
| | - Shaofa Nie
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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