Health care workers' ability and willingness to report to duty during catastrophic disasters

Factors Affecting Willingness to Report to Work During COVID-19 Pandemic among Health Care Workers in a Tertiary Government Hospital

Background

Healthcare workers' (HCWs) willingness to report to work despite personal risk is a requisite for an effective pandemic response. At present, there are no local studies that have examined the factors affecting willingness to report to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective

To determine the factors associated with willingness to report to work during COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers in a tertiary government hospital.

Methods

This was a cross sectional study among the nursing staff (nursing attendants, nurses), doctors (residents, fellows), medical technologists, radiologic technologists, and respiratory technicians in a tertiary government hospital, who were employed from January 2021 to January 2022. Data was collected through an online questionnaire and was analyzed using SPSS.

Results

A total of 311 participants included in the study. The median age of the respondents was 34 (29-46) years old. More than a third of the workers were nurses (37%) followed by residents and fellows (34%), nursing attendants (19%), radiologic technologists, medical technologists, and respiratory technicians (10%). Over 4 out of 5 were assigned in a non-COVID area while 11% were assigned in the COVID area. The odds of willingness to report to work is 60% lower among males compared to females. On the other hand, the odds of willingness to report to work was 78% lower among nurses and 84% lower among residents and fellows compared to medical technologist, radiologic technologists, and respiratory therapists. The median rating of the staff on willingness to report to work was 80% (60-90), and 73% of respondents were willing to report to work during the entire COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion

Factors that were associated with willingness to report to work were female gender and occupation (radiologic technologists, medical technologists, respiratory technicians).

Quality improvement collaborative for improving patient care delivery in Argentine public health sector intensive care units

BACKGROUND

The demand for healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic was excessive for less-resourced settings, with intensive care units (ICUs) taking the heaviest toll.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to achieve adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) use in 90% of patient encounters, to reach 90% compliance with objectives of patient flow (OPF) and to provide emotional support tools to 90% of healthcare workers (HCWs).

METHODS

We conducted a quasi-experimental study with an interrupted time-series design in 14 ICUs in Argentina. We randomly selected adult critically ill patients admitted from July 2020 to July 2021 and active HCWs in the same period. We implemented a quality improvement collaborative (QIC) with a baseline phase (BP) and an intervention phase (IP). The QIC included learning sessions, periods of action and improvement cycles (plan-do-study-act) virtually coached by experts via platform web-based activities. The main study outcomes encompassed the following elements: proper utilisation of PPE, compliance with nine specific OPF using daily goal sheets through direct observations and utilisation of a web-based tool for tracking emotional well-being among HCWs.

RESULTS

We collected 7341 observations of PPE use (977 in BP and 6364 in IP) with an improvement in adequate use from 58.4% to 71.9% (RR 1.2, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.29, p<0.001). We observed 7428 patient encounters to evaluate compliance with 9 OPF (879 in BP and 6549 in IP) with an improvement in compliance from 53.9% to 67% (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.32, p<0.001). The results showed that HCWs did not use the support tool for self-mental health evaluation as much as expected.

CONCLUSION

A QIC was effective in improving healthcare processes and adequate PPE use, even in the context of a pandemic, indicating the possibility of expanding QIC networks nationwide to improve overall healthcare delivery. The limited reception of emotional support tools requires further analyses.

An assessment of nurses' perceived and actual household emergency preparedness

Nurses' household preparedness is critical if they are to avoid role conflict and report for duty during an emergency. To date, the alignment between nurses' perceived and actual household preparedness remains under examined. Investigating one of these variables in isolation fails to consider that perceived and actual household preparedness must be high and aligned. If misaligned, vulnerabilities could surface during emergencies, like concerns about family safety, potentially impacting a nurse's commitment to duty during a crisis, or nurses may lack the actual preparedness to continue working long hours during an emergency. An online questionnaire was distributed to registered nurses in Ireland. The questionnaire was informed by a review of the literature and captured nurses' perceived and actual household preparedness, attitudes towards and exposure to a range of emergencies, and pertinent demographic characteristics. The results showed a relationship between how nurses view their household preparedness and their actual preparedness. Regression analyses indicate that while there is an overlap, the factors associated with how prepared nurses think they are and how prepared they are can differ. This means that strategies to boost actual preparedness may differ from those needed to boost perceived preparedness. This finding underscores the importance of psychosocial preparedness. Feeling prepared is crucial as it can influence how one responds in an emergency. Considering both the perceived and actual aspects of household preparedness can lead to a more effective response during emergencies.

Inactive nurses' willingness to return to active nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study

AIMS

To investigate factors that influence the willingness of inactive nurses to return to nursing in a crisis situation and to identify aspects that need to be considered with regard to a possible deployment.

DESIGN

A deductive and inductive qualitative content analysis of semi-structured focus group interviews.

METHODS

Semi-structured focus group interviews with inactive or marginally employed nurses, nurses who have been inactive for some time and nursing home managers in October and November 2021. The participating inactive nurses had declared their willingness for a deployment during the COVID-19 pandemic or not. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

Communication was seen as essential by the participants for an informed decision for or against a temporary return to nursing and to potential or actual deployments. To make them feel safe, inactive nurses need to know what to expect and what is expected of them, for example, regarding required training and responsibilities. Considering their current employment status, some flexibility in terms of deployment conditions is needed. A remaining attachment to care can trigger a sense of duty. Knowledge of (regular) working conditions in nursing can lead to both a desire to support former colleagues and a refusal to be exposed to these conditions again.

CONCLUSION

Past working experiences and the current employment situation play a major role in the willingness of inactive nurses to return to nursing in a crisis situation. Unbureaucratic arrangements must be provided for those who are willing to return.

SUMMARY STATEMENT

What already is known - In crisis situations, not every inactive nurse is willing or able to return to nursing and therefore, the 'silent reserve' may not be as large as suspected. What this paper adds - Inactive nurses need to know what to expect and what is expected of them for their decision regarding a return to active patient care during a crisis situation. Implications for practice/policy - Inactive nurses need to be informed and should be offered free training and refresher courses to ensure patient safety.

IMPACT

This research shows that the group of inactive nurses are not a silent workforce which can be activated anytime. Those who are able and willing to return to direct patient care in crisis situations need the best possible support - during and between crises.

REPORTING METHOD

This study adhered to COREQ guidelines.

NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

The involvement of patients or members of the public did not apply for the study, as the aim was to gain insight into the motivations and attitudes of the group of inactive nurses.

Willingness of WHO staff to work in health emergencies in the African Region: opportunity for phased deployment of staff and ensure continuity of health services

A human resource base that ensures appropriate deployment of staff to emergencies, addressing different shock events in emergencies, without disrupting continuity of service is germane to a successful response. Consequently, the WHO Health Emergencies programme in the African Region, in collaboration with Africa Centre for Disease Control (ACDC) launched the African Volunteer Health Corps (AVoHC) and Strengthening and Utilization of Response Group for Emergencies (SURGE), an initiative aimed at ensuring a pool of timely responders. We explored the willingness of WHO staff to work in emergencies. A call for expression of interest to be part of the Elite Emergency Experts (Triple E) was published on 5th July 2022 via email and was open for 5 weeks. The responses were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and presented with graphic illustrations. A total of 1253 WHO staff, from all the six WHO regions, cutting across all cadre, applied to the call. The applicants had various trainings and experiences in emergency and have responded to mostly disease outbreaks. Two-third of the applicants were males. This paper did not explore reasons for the willingness to work in emergencies. However, contrary to fears expressed in literature that health workers would not want to work in emergencies with potential for infections, the applicants have worked mostly in infectious emergencies. Literature identified some themes on factors that could impact on willingness of health workers to work in emergencies. These include concerns for the safety of the responders and impact of partners, child and elderly care, as well as other family obligations, which emergency planners must consider in planning emergency response.

A Case Study on Community Treatment Center for Response to COVID-19 in Korea: Focusing on Surge Capacity 4S Component Analysis and Social Well-Being Perspective

In March, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea, the first Community Treatment Center (CTC), which is a motel-type Alternate Care Site (ACS) for mild and asymptomatic patients, was opened. This is a case study of the first Community treatment center prepared to respond to COVID-19. One of the researchers worked as a medical doctor in one of the CTCs operated by the Korean government. The CTC's eight medical staff members were interviewed in-depth one-on-one. Then the data obtained from observation, collection, and interview were triangulated. In this study, it was identified based on the 4S factor that evaluates the surge capacity to meet the medical needs of CTC. And how the CTC was operated from a medical and social welfare perspective and what problems appeared to patients during the operation were analyzed. Three dormitories of a national training center were used as the CTC. Each patient used a room equipped with a toilet, a shower, and a washbasin. Medical staff and government officials with various backgrounds were dispatched. Telemedicine was also used to prevent the spread of infection. The CTC made a significant contribution to both medical and social welfare fields. It provided patients psychological stability in a comfortable environment. But some patients had psychological problems and difficulties involving work and family care. Various efforts in conjunction with participation from social workers are required to reduce these problems.

Are the healthcare providers willing and able to respond to disasters: An assessment of tertiary health care system of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

For the tertiary health care system to provide adequate care during disasters, willing and able healthcare providers must be available to respond to the abnormal surge of the patients. Health care professionals (HCPs) constantly face a dilemma because of their profession to either respond to disasters or protect themselves. This study was conducted to assess the willingness and ability of HCPs working in the tertiary healthcare system of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to respond to disasters. This cross-sectional survey was conducted in all the 8 tertiary care hospitals of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. For different disaster scenarios, between 6% and 47% of HCP indicated their unwillingness, and between 3% & 41% of HCPs indicated that they were unable to respond to the given disaster scenarios. HCPs with childcare obligation indicated significantly lower willingness (p<0.05) to respond to earthquakes, MCIs, and an outbreak of Influenza, and SARS. Male HCPs showed a significantly (p<0.05) higher willingness to respond to earthquakes, MCIs, and an outbreak of Influenza as compared to their female counterparts. The overall ability indicated by HCPs for various disaster scenarios ranged between 54.1% [95% CI 0.503,0.578] for responding to victims of nuclear war and 96.4% [95% CI 0.947,0.976] for responding to conventional war. The HCPs who indicated childcare obligation showed a significantly lower ability (p<0.05) to respond to environmental disaster, influenza outbreak, and responding to victims of nuclear war. Female HCPs indicated significantly higher ability (p<0.05) as compared to their male counterparts. This survey provides an opportunity for the tertiary healthcare system to build on the findings and develop disaster mitigation plans to address the barriers to improving the HCPs' availability during disasters.

Covid-19: Home Health Aides' Perceived Preparedness and Self-Reported Availability for Work: Six Month Survey Results

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic New York City home health aides continuously provided care, including to patients actively infected or recovering from COVID-19. Analyzing survey data from 1316 aides, we examined factors associated with perceptions of how well their employer prepared them for COVID-19 and their self-reported availability for work (did they "call out" more than usual). Organizational work environment and COVID-19-related supports were predominant predictors of self-reported perceptions of preparedness. Worker characteristics and COVID-19-related stressors were predominant predictors of self-reported availability. Mental distress, satisfaction with employer communications, and satisfaction with supervisor instructions were significantly associated with both outcomes. The study uniquely describes self-reported perceptions of preparedness and availability as two separate worker outcomes potentially modifiable by different interventions. Better public health emergency training and adequate protective equipment may increase aides' perceived preparedness; more household supports could facilitate their availability. More effective employer communications and mental health initiatives could potentially improve both outcomes. Industry collaboration and systemic changes in federal, state, and local policies should enhance intervention impacts.

The Duty to Care is Not Dead Yet

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed social shortcomings and ethical failures, but it also revealed strengths and successes. In this perspective article, we examine and discuss one strength: the duty to care. We understand this duty in a broad sense, as more than a duty to treat individual patients who could infect health care workers. We understand it as a prima facie duty to work to provide care and promote health in the face of risks, obstacles, and inconveniences. Although at least one survey suggested that health care workers would not respond to a SARS-like outbreak according to a duty to care, we give reasons to show that the response was better than expected. The reasons we discuss lead us to consider normative accounts of the duty to care based on the adoption of social roles. Then, we consider one view of the relationship between empirical claims and normative claims about the duty to care in the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we draw insight from Mengzi, with an emendation from Dewey. Our perspective leaves many question to research, but one point seems clear: there will be future pandemics and the need for health care workers who respond.

A Multisite Investigation of Areas for Improvement in COVID-19 Surge Capacity Management

The congressionally authorized National Disaster Medical System Pilot Program was created in December 2019 to strengthen the medical surge capability, capacity, and interoperability of affiliated healthcare facilities in 5 regions across the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic provided an unprecedented opportunity to learn how participating healthcare facilities handled medical surge events during an active public health emergency. We applied a modified version of the Barbisch and Koenig 4-S framework (staff, stuff, space, systems) to analyze COVID-19 surge management practices implemented by healthcare stakeholders at 5 pilot sites. In total, 32 notable practices were identified to increase surge capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic that have potential applications for other healthcare facilities. We found that systems was the most prevalent domain of surge capacity among the identified practices. Systems and staff were discussed across all 5 pilot sites and were the 2 domains co-occurring most often within each surge management practice. These results can inform strategies for scaling up and optimizing medical surge capability, capacity, and interoperability of healthcare facilities nationwide. This study also specifies areas of surge capacity worthy of strategic focus in the pilot's planning and implementation efforts while more broadly informing the US healthcare system's response to future large-scale, medical surge events.

Reflections of Australian general practitioners during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

General practitioners (GPs) have played an integral role in Australia's coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic response. However, little is known about how GPs themselves have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to increase our understanding of the experiences of GPs working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews. Using purposive sampling, 15 GPs from South-Eastern Australia were asked to reflect on their experiences during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interview transcripts underwent thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Five main themes were identified: fear of infection; uncertainty and information overload; impacts on the government-GP relationship; impacts on the patient-doctor relationship; and teamwork within practices and among GPs.

CONCLUSIONS

The 15 GPs interviewed in this study provided valuable insights into their experiences working during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. From these insights, four recommendations propose what could be done to help support GPs to respond to a pandemic while continuing to deliver primary health care.

The Role of Self-Efficacy and Risk Perception in the Willingness to Respond to Weather Disasters Among Emergency Medicine Health Care Workers in Pakistan

OBJECTIVE

Optimizing health care workers' (HCWs) willingness to respond (WTR) is critical in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs) for proper health system functioning during extreme weather events. Pakistan frequently experiences weather-related disasters, but limited evidence is available to examine HCW willingness. Our study examined the association between WTR and behavioral factors among emergency department HCWs.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted from August to September 2022 among HCWs from 2 hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. A survey tool was informed by Witte's Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the association between WTR and attitudes/beliefs as well as EPPM profiles.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine percent of HCWs indicated a low WTR. HCWs using public transportation had a higher WTR. Perceived knowledge and skills, self-efficacy, and perceived impact of one's response showed positive associations with WTR if required. Perception that one's colleagues would report to work positively predicted WTR if asked. Consistent with the EPPM, HCWs with high efficacy and perceived threat were willing to respond to weather disasters.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the need of strengthening WTR by promoting self-efficacy and enhancing accurate risk perception as a response motivator, among emergency department HCWs in Pakistan.

Hospital crisis management after a disaster: from the epicenter of 2023 Türkiye-Syria earthquake

BACKGROUND

In such cases where sudden destruction and injury are very high, search and rescue teams and hospitals can be the most important determining factors between people's lives and deaths.

METHODS

This study was conducted retrospectively, after the two catastrophic earthquakes (Türkiye-Syria Earthquakes) by taking the records of the patients who admitted to our hospital. Patients' admission times, diagnoses, demographic data, triage codes, medical interventions, hemodialysis needs, crush syndrome and mortality rates were analyzed.

RESULTS

In the first 5 days after the earthquake, 247 earthquake-related patients were admitted to our hospital. The most intense period of admission to the emergency department was the first 24 h. The most intensive period of surgical procedures was 24-48 h. It was observed that Orthopedic surgical procedures were applied most frequently and the most common cause of mortality was crush syndrome.

CONCLUSION

In terms of preparations for earthquakes, especially in hospitals in the earthquake zone it will be beneficial for each hospital to make hospital disaster plans. For this reason, we thought it would be useful to share our experiences during this disaster.

Incidence management system of the healthcare institutions for disaster management in Sri Lanka

BACKGROUND

Incident management systems and disaster planning processes facilitate maximal use of available resources. Evaluation of the Incident Command System (ICS) is one of the top five key areas of research priority in the field of surge. The study was aimed at assessing the disaster preparedness and ICS of the public healthcare institutions for the disaster management in a disaster-prone district of Sri Lanka.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among all public sector healthcare institutions (n = 74), including curative-healthcare institutions (n = 46) which have inward-care facilities for patient care and preventive healthcare institutions (n = 28) in Kurunegala district, Sri Lanka from May-September 2019 using a validated interviewer administered questionnaire which was based on 'CO-S-TR Model' for ICS assessment including 'Clear need for increased capacity (≤25%), Basic level (26 - 50%), Moderate level (51 - 75%) and High level (>75%)'.

RESULTS

Focal points for disaster management were nominated by the majority of the curative sector (n = 33; 76.7%) and preventive sector (n = 19; 73.1%) healthcare institutions. A written disaster preparedness and response plans were available in 72% (n= 31) curative sector and 76% (n= 19) preventive sector institutions. The higher proportion of the curative sector institutions had moderate level capacity in the area of providing treatment, and basic level capacities were in the areas of 'staff mobilization, coordination of activities, supplying of special needs, triage of cases and transportation'. There is a clear need for improvement in the areas of communication commanding, management of controlling the incidence and tracking of the cases in the curative sector. The majority of the preventive sector institutions had moderate level capacity in commanding, control, coordination and tracking of cases. The basic level capacity in the areas of staff mobilization, stuff management and triage of cases. There is a clear need for improvement in the areas of communication in preventive sector. Of the public sector healthcare institutions, the higher proportion of the preventive sector (n = 20; 76.9%) and curative sector (n = 29; 67.4%) had basic level overall surge capacity of ICS for disaster management.

CONCLUSION

Coordination, communication, commanding, management of controlling the incidence and tracking of cases following outbreaks need to be improved and capacity development programmes could implement to develop the preparedness for future disasters.

Development and psychometric properties of health care workers' concerns in infectious outbreaks scale

Introduction

Healthcare workers are a crucial workforce; from a moral perspective, understanding their concerns and how to support them is crucial and makes it possible for health services to keep functioning. This study aimed to develop and validate Health Care Workers' Concerns in Infectious Outbreaks Scale (HCWCIOS).

Methods

This exploratory sequential mix-method study was employed to design and validate the HCWCIOS. The initial tool was designed after searching similar studies and performing a qualitative phase under the semi-structured approach. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to evaluate the face and content validity. The content validity ratio, content validity index, and item-level content validity index were also calculated. Exploratory factor analysis was employed to evaluate the construct validity. Using a convenient sampling method, 354 Iranian healthcare workers participated in the study. Computing Cronbach's alpha coefficient estimated the internal consistency for HCWCIOS and its subscales. Furthermore assessed was test-retest reliability.

Results

The preliminary scale was designed with 57 items. By eliminating nine items in the content validity phase and 12 items during factor analysis, the final 36-item scale was developed on six factors: inadequate preparedness, lack of knowledge, risk perception, affected social relations, work pressure, and absenteeism. These six factors accounted for 46.507% of the total variance. The whole scale's Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.912, and the intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.88.

Conclusion

A 36-item HCWCIOS has good psychometric properties and is suitable for measuring healthcare workers' concerns during a pandemic.

Relationship Between Nursing Students' Awareness of Disaster, Preparedness for Disaster, Willingness to Participate in Disaster Response, and Disaster Nursing Competency

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to provide basic data for preparing a disaster nursing education program. It examined the degree of nursing students' disaster awareness, disaster preparedness, willingness to participate in disaster response, and disaster nursing competency, aiming to determine the relationship between these attributes.

METHODS

This was a descriptive research study. The participants were 163 nursing students. The data collected from the participants were analyzed via descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficients.

RESULTS

Disaster awareness showed a positive correlation with a willingness to participate in a disaster response. Further, disaster preparedness and willingness to participate in a disaster response showed a positive correlation with disaster nursing capacity. Disaster awareness did not show a significant correlation with disaster preparedness and disaster nursing competency. Last, disaster preparedness did not show a significant correlation with willingness to participate in a disaster response.

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary to improve nursing students' disaster awareness, disaster preparation, disaster response participation willingness, and disaster nursing competency. It is imperative to develop disaster nursing education programs to strengthen students' capabilities in a comprehensive manner.

Evaluating Nebraska EMS Providers' Ability and Willingness to Respond to Emergencies Resulting from Bioterrorist Attacks

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have found that public health systems within the United States are inadequately prepared for an act of biological terrorism. As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues, few studies have evaluated bioterrorism preparedness of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), even in the accelerating environment of biothreats.

METHODS

This study utilized an Internet-based survey to assess the level of preparedness and willingness to respond to a bioterrorism attack and identify factors that predict preparedness and willingness among Nebraska EMS providers. The survey was available for 1 month in 2021 during which 190 EMS providers responded to the survey.

RESULTS

Only 56.8% of providers were able to recognize an illness or injury as potentially resulting from exposure to a biological agent. The provider Clinical Competency levels ranged from a low of 13.6% (ability to initiate patient care within his/her professional scope of practice and arrange for prompt referral appropriate to the identified condition(s)) to a high of 74% (the ability to respond to an emergency within the emergency management system of his/her practice, institution, and community). Only 10% of the respondents were both willing and able to effectively function in a bioterror environment.

CONCLUSION

To effectively prepare for and respond to a bioterrorist attack, all levels of the health care system need to have the clinical skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to treat patients exposed to biological agents. Policy changes and increased focus on training and drills are needed to ensure a prepared EMS system, which is crucial to a resilient state. EMS entities need to be aware of the extent of their available workforce so that the country can be prepared for the increasing threat of bioterrorism or other novel emerging infectious disease outbreaks. A resilient nation relies on a prepared set of EMS providers who are willing to respond to biological terrorism events.

Perceived Disaster Preparedness and Willingness to Respond among Emergency Nurses in South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Emergency nurses serve a vital role in disaster situations. Understanding their disaster preparedness and willingness to respond to a disaster is important in maintaining appropriate disaster management. The purpose of this study was to explore emergency nurses' disaster preparedness and willingness to respond based on demographic and disaster-related characteristics, and their willingness to respond based on specific disaster situations.

METHODS

In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, the Disaster Preparedness Questionnaire for Nurses and willingness to report to duty by type of event were used to collect data from 158 nurses working in four regional emergency medical centers from 1 December 2019 to 30 April 2020 in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

Emergency nurses with personal disaster experience as a victim or witness (t = 3.65, p < 0.001), professional disaster experience (i.e., working as a nurse) (t = 3.58, p < 0.001), who were current members of Korean Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (t = 6.26, p < 0.001), and who received disaster-related training within a year (t = 5.84, p < 0.001) showed a high level of perceived disaster preparedness. Emergency nurses who have professional disaster experience (i.e., working as a nurse) (t = 2.42, p = 0.017), are on a current disaster team (t = 2.39, p = 0.018), and have received disaster training (t = 2.73, p = 0.007) showed a high level of willingness to respond. Our study showed a high willingness to respond to natural disasters and low willingness to respond to technological disasters.

DISCUSSION

To promote the engagement of emergency nurses in disaster response, disaster education programs should be expanded. Enhancing the safety of disaster response environments through supplementing medical personnel, distributing available resources, and providing sufficient compensation for emergency nurses is also essential.

Willingness to Work during Public Health Emergencies: A Systematic Literature Review

The identification of the factors underlying the willingness or lack thereof to respond to public health emergencies is paramount to informing more capable health services. The interest in this topic appears renewed with each surge of threat, either referring to natural disasters, man-made violence, or epidemic and pandemics. However, there is no systematic approach to the research patterns and related main findings concerning individual and contextual determinants. The present article contributes to this theme through a systematic literature review of a sample of 150 articles published in the last 30 years on the subject of willingness and preparedness of health professionals to deal with public health threats. Our findings show that the research is mainly phenomena and contextual driven, responding to whichever emergency threat is more salient in a given period. Geographically, research on this topic is led by USA and China, mostly solely, while European countries invest in collaborations that are more international. Universities, including health institutes and schools, and researchers at hospitals conduct most of the research on the topic. The main research areas are medicine, psychology, and psychiatry. Pandemics, including COVID-19, influenza, and natural disasters, are the phenomena gauging more attention as opposed to terrorism events and biological accidents. The specific role of health professionals within the institution, their belief in ethical duties, preparation training, and concerns regarding infection of self and family are the main variables influencing the willingness and ability to report to work in public health emergencies.

Willingness of medical students to volunteer during the Covid-19 pandemic: Assessment at a tertiary care hospital in India

Background The involvement of medical students in strategies to control Covid-19 might be considered to cope with the shortage of healthcare workers. We assessed the knowledge about Covid-19, willingness to volunteer, potential areas of involvement and reasons for hesitation among medical students towards volunteering. Methods We did this cross-sectional study among undergraduate students at a tertiary care teaching hospital in New Delhi. We used a web-based questionnaire to elicit demographic information, knowledge of Covid-19, willingness to volunteer and reasons deterring them from working during the Covid-19 pandemic, and self-declared knowledge in six domains. Results A total of 292 students participated in the study with a mean (SD) age of 19.9 (3.1) years. The mean (SD) knowledge score of Covid-19 was 6.9 (1.1) (maximum score 10). Knowledge score was significantly different among preclinical (6.5), paraclinical (7.18) and clinical groups (7.03). Almost three-fourth (75.3%) participants were willing to volunteer in the Covid-19 pandemic, though 67.8% had not received any training in emergency medicine or public health crisis management. Willingness to work was maximum in areas of social work and indirect patient care (62.3% each). Lack of personal protective equipment was cited as a highly deterring factor for volunteering (62.7%) followed by fear of transmitting the infection to family members (45.9%), fear of causing harm to the patient (34.2%) and the absence of available treatment (22.2%). Conclusions A majority of the students were willing to volunteer even though they had not received adequate training. Students may serve as an auxiliary force during the pandemic, especially in non-clinical settings.

Evaluation of the caregiving roles and attitudes of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Nurses play a critical role in providing care to patients, in particular, they work in the frontlines in caring for patients with complicated COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. Evaluation of the caregiving roles and attitudes of nurses is critical in the current crisis. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the caregiving roles and attitudes of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A quantitative descriptive study was performed with 130 nurses in Turkey. The attitude scale for the caregiving roles of nurses (ASCRNs) was used to collect data. We conducted an online survey between May and November 2020.

RESULTS

The mean total score of the participants on the ASCRN was 62.20 ± 18.42. All nurses stated that they were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ASCRN scores of nurses who received training about the COVID-19 pandemic and who thought that the personal protective equipment they used was sufficient had statistically higher scores on the ASCRN (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative effect on the caregiving roles and attitudes of the nurses.

Perceived Stress and Perceived Vulnerability at Healthcare Workers during Covid-19 Pandemic

Objective:This study evaluated the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers (HCWs) and determined several risk factors.. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was administered to 244 HCWs recruited via the Google Docs platform. The 36-item questionnaire comprised three domains: demographic details, the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10), and the Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Questionnaire (PVDQ).Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for adverse psychological responses. Results:Overall, 244 HCWs aged between 20 and 60 years old participated in the survey and the mean scores for perceived stress (PS), perceived infectability (PI), and germ aversion (GA) were 20.15, 28.83 and 47.78, respectively. Additionally, they were positively associated with gender. Females’ score on PS (p=0.001), PI (p=0.017), and GA were also significantly higher than men (p=0.001).Scores on PSS-10 showed a significant difference between age groups (p=0.010) in contrast to GA (p=0.515) or PI (p=0.346).The regression model showed that the PI scores were higher among men (B=3.145) than among women (p=0.019).The analysis showed significant effects working during COVID-19 on PI scores (B=3.101; p=0.006).Furthermore, GA was also significantly related to worsening of the COVID-19 pandemic (B=2.73; p=0.004) and was higher among females (B=4.622; p&lt;0.001). Conclusion:According to the results of the study, gender, age, professional experience and knowledge, and working during a pandemic were important factors for PS and PVD. Additionally, supporting the mental health for HCWs obtaining adequate support and taking precautions are essential.

Visualizing the Knowledge Base and Research Hotspot of Public Health Emergency Management: A Science Mapping Analysis-Based Study

Public health emergency management has been one of the main challenges of social sustainable development since the beginning of the 21st century. Research on public health emergency management is becoming a common focus of scholars. In recent years, the literature associated with public health emergency management has grown rapidly, but few studies have used a bibliometric analysis and visualization approach to conduct deep mining and explore the characteristics of the public health emergency management research field. To better understand the present status and development of public health emergency management research, and to explore the knowledge base and research hotspots, the bibliometric method and science mapping technology were adopted to visually evaluate the knowledge structure and research trends in the field of public health emergency management studies. From 2000 to 2020, a total of 3723 papers related to public health emergency management research were collected from the Web of Science Core Collection as research data. The five main research directions formed are child prevention, mortality from public health events, public health emergency preparedness, public health emergency management, and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The current research hotspots and frontiers are climate change, COVID-19 and related coronaviruses. Further research is needed to focus on the COVID-19 and related coronaviruses. This study intends to contribute inclusive support to related academia and industry in the aspects of public health emergency management and public safety research, as well as research hotspots and future research directions.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Hawai'i Nursing Workforce: A Cross-sectional Survey

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has placed extraordinary strain on health care systems. This has led to increased stress among health care workers, and nurses in particular, which has had a negative impact on their physical and psychosocial wellbeing. This is likely to negatively impact the nursing workforce at the state and national levels as the pandemic continues. The purpose of this study was to assess whether nurses licensed in Hawai'i have considered leaving the workforce. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among Hawai'i nurses at all levels of licensure, with 421 responding. Of these nurses, 97 (23.0%) reported considering leaving the workforce, with safety (39.2%) and family/caregiver strain (32.0%) being the most common reasons. Reconsidering whether they should stay employed in their current roles (Odds ratio [OR] 2.05; 95% CI 1.56 - 2.69) and fear to continue providing direct patient care (OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.54 - 2.54) were associated with increased odds of having considered leaving the workforce. Based on these results, the State of Hawai'i and local health care organizations need to adjust their nursing workforce estimates and address how to alleviate nurses' stressors and safety concerns to mitigate a potential workforce shortage. Research is needed to develop interventions to support and empower nurses in their current roles but also address future emergency preparedness.

A cross-sectional study on public health nurses' disaster competencies and influencing factors during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea

Public health nurses are performing various roles during the COVID-19 pandemic: counseling, surveillance, specimen collection, epidemiological investigation, education, and vaccination. This study investigated their disaster competencies in the context of emerging infectious diseases, and identified their influencing factors based on Deci and Ryan's self-determination theory. A convenience sample of 242 was selected from public health nurses working in a metropolitan city of South Korea. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression analysis using the SPSS Statistics ver. 23.0. Results showed that the significant factors influencing disaster competencies included "willingness to respond to a disaster," "preventive behavior," "experience of receiving education on emerging infectious diseases response," "public health center experience," "job satisfaction," and "education." This regression model explained 33.2% of the variance in disaster competencies. "Willingness to respond to a disaster" was the strongest factor affecting disaster competencies. Based on these results, it is concluded that interventions to improve disaster competencies and psychological well-being of public health nurses are needed. Additionally, strategies such as creating a supportive work environment, deploying experienced nurses primarily on the front line, and reducing the tasks of permanent public health nurses should be implemented.

The development and psychometric evaluation of COVID-19 staff questionnaire for infectious disease outbreak readiness and preparedness (SQIDORP)

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has inundated the capacity of hospitals across the globe, exhausting resources, and placing extreme burden on health care workers (HCWs). Hospital preparedness during infectious disease outbreak involves development and implementation of appropriate strategies, procedures, and adequate training for HCWs. Reliable and valid tools to evaluate the perception of HCWs on the effectiveness of hospital preparedness strategies are imperative and literature is yet to fill that gap.

Methods

Items for ‘The Staff Questionnaire for Infectious Disease Outbreak Readiness and Preparedness (SQIDORP)’ were selected from literature that addressed hospital preparedness during novel pandemic outbreaks. The SQIDORP was distributed within a regional hospital in Victoria, Australia. Psychometric evaluation included estimates of reliability and factor analysis while factors associated with the questionnaire were explored using regression analysis.

Results

Omega coefficient of 0.89, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.88 and item-total correlations (> 0.3) indicated adequate reliability of the SQIDORP. Factor Analysis yielded three meaningful latent factors that are effectiveness of training (Factor 1), self-confidence (Factor 2) and risk to self and stress (Factor 3). Demographic factors did not influence the correlation with SQIDORP. However, rating ‘the current plan for management of COVID-19 in your ward’ and ‘personal knowledge/skills in caring for patients with COVID-19’ had significant positive correlation and accounted for 33% of the variance in readiness and preparedness using SQIDORP (R2 = 0.33, F = 10.227, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Most of the items of SQIDORP questionnaire achieved adequate internal consistence reliability. This is a valuable tool that can be utilized by hospitals to explore aspects of preparedness and give insights to the knowledge, skills, and mental health of HCWs, as perceived by the HCW themselves.

COVID-19-related anxieties: Impact on duty to care among nurses

Background

Duty to care is integral to nursing practice. Personal obligations that normally conflict with professional obligations are likely amplified during a public health emergency such as COVID-19. Organizations can facilitate a nurse’s ability to fulfill the duty to care without compromising on personal obligations.

Research Aim

The study aimed to explore the relationships among duty to care, perception of supportive environment, perceived stress, and COVID-19-specific anxieties in nurses working directly with COVID-19 patients.

Research Design

The study design was a cross-sectional descriptive study using an online survey. It was conducted at an ANCC Magnet® designated 385-bed acute care teaching hospital located in a suburban area.

Participants and Research Context

Included in this study were 339 medical surgical nurses working directly with COVID-19 patients during the early phase of the pandemic.

Ethical Considerations

The study was reviewed by the institution’s clinical research committee and determined to be exempt. A survey invitation letter with a voluntary implied consent agreement was sent to participants with a description of the research study attached to the anonymous survey.

Results

Nurses with specific COVID-19-related anxieties were more likely to agree that it was ethical to abandon the workplace during a pandemic.

Conclusions

Organizations can and ought to mitigate the negative effects of COVID-19 on duty to care in future pandemics and healthcare emergencies by incorporating several recommendations derived from this study.

Assessing COVID-19 Pandemic Risk Perception and Response Preparedness in Veterinary and Animal Care Workers

Veterinary and animal care workers perform critical functions in biosecurity and public health, yet little has been done to understand the unique needs and barriers these workers face when responding during a pandemic crisis. In this article, we evaluated the perceived risks and roles of veterinary and animal care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and explored barriers and facilitators in their readiness, ability, and willingness to respond during a pandemic. We deployed a survey targeting US veterinary medical personnel, animal shelter and control workers, zoo and wildlife workers, and other animal care workers. Data were collected on respondents' self-reported job and demographic factors, perceptions of risk and job efficacy, and readiness, ability, and willingness to respond during the pandemic. We found that leadership roles and older age had the strongest association with decreased perceived risk and improved job efficacy and confidence, and that increased reported contact level with others (both coworkers and the public) was associated with increased perceived risk. We determined that older age and serving in leadership positions were associated with improved readiness, willingness, and ability to respond. Veterinary and animal care workers' dedication to public health response, reflected in our findings, will be imperative if more zoonotic vectors of SARS-CoV-2 arise. Response preparedness in veterinary and animal care workers can be improved by targeting younger workers not in leadership roles through support programs that focus on improving job efficacy and confidence in safety protocols. These findings can be used to target intervention and training efforts to support the most vulnerable within this critical, yet often overlooked, workforce.

The status of prehospital care delivery for COVID-19 patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: The study emphasizing adverse events occurring in prehospital transport and associated factors

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 patients may require emergency medical services for emergent treatment and/or transport to a hospital for further treatment. However, it is common for the patients to experience adverse events during transport, even the shortest transport may cause life-threatening conditions. Most of the studies that have been done on prehospital care of COVID-19 patients were conducted in developed countries. Differences in population demographics and economy may limit the generalizability of available studies. So, this study was aimed at investigating the status of prehospital care delivery for COVID-19 patients in Addis Ababa focusing on adverse events that occurred during transport and associated factors.

METHODS

A total of 233 patients consecutively transported to Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College from November 6 to December 31, 2020, were included in the study. A team of physicians and nurses collected the data using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data, and ordinal logistic regression was carried out to assess the association between explanatory variables and the outcome variable. Results are presented using frequency, percentage, chi-square, crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

The overall level of adverse events in prehospital setting was 44.2%. Having history of at least one chronic medical illness, [AOR3.2 (95%; CI; 1.11-9.53)]; distance traveled to reach destination facility, [AOR 0.11(95%; CI; 0.02-0.54)]; failure to recognize and administer oxygen to the patient in need of oxygen, [AOR 15.0(95%; CI; 4.0-55.7)]; absent or malfunctioned suctioning device, [AOR 4.0(95%; CI; 1.2-13.0)]; patients handling mishaps, [AOR 12.7(95%; CI; 2.9-56.8)] were the factors associated with adverse events in prehospital transport of COVID-19 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

There were a significant proportion of adverse events in prehospital care among COVID-19 patients. Most of the adverse events were preventable. There is an urgent need to strengthen prehospital emergency care in Ethiopia by equipping the ambulances with essential and properly functioning equipment and trained manpower. Awareness creation and training of transport staff in identifying potential hazards, at-risk patients, adequate documentation, and patient handling during transport could help to prevent or minimize adverse events in prehospital care.

Willingness of Healthcare Students in Vietnam to Volunteer During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Healthcare students play an important role in volunteering activity, often addressing staff shortages. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the willingness of students to volunteer in contribution to the pandemic response, especially in Vietnam, has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with the willingness of healthcare students to volunteer during the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam. For this, an online cross-sectional survey was conducted, between June 7th and July 6th, 2021, among healthcare students from 10 fields of study at the largest public university of medicine and pharmacy in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Of 2032 respondents, 1473 (72.5%) reported that they would be willing to volunteer during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than half of the students reported having a desire to volunteer in non-patient contact activities such as data entry (65.9%) and logistics (57.7%). Whereas less than 50% of the participants were willing to volunteer with activities involving patients. Year of education, study field, educational format, living arrangements, health status self-perception, chronic illness possession, COVID-19 fear level, past volunteering experience in non-healthcare sectors, and COVID-19 prevention and control training course attendance were all associated with a willingness to volunteer. The strongest barriers preventing volunteering included fear for the health of their family and lack of training/knowledge. Conclusively, healthcare students reported a high level of willingness, indicating a positive attitude toward responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Adequate training should be employed to increase the willingness among healthcare students in Vietnam.

Exploring the experiences of nurses and physicians infected with COVID-19

BACKGROUND

Health-care providers, including physicians and nurses, are vital resources of the health-care system, and their health is essential to ensure safe care and to control outbreaks in the community. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of physicians and nurses infected with COVID-19.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This descriptive exploratory qualitative study was conducted in 2020. To conduct this study, 19 participants (5 physicians and 14 nurses) were selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using conventional content analysis.

RESULTS

Eight main categories of "Fear and anxiety," "Fighting against COVID-19," "Feeling abandoned during home quarantine period," "Denial of disease despite testing positive," "Recovery: the second opportunity," "Imposition of psychological burden after returning to work," "Promotion of the health professional perception," and "Promising supportive resources," as well as 21 subcategories, were extracted from the participants' experiences.

CONCLUSION

The experiences of physicians and nurses with COVID-19 revealed that their perception of the profession and providing care had changed. This experience has highlighted the focus and effort to promote patient-centered care and interprofessional collaboration among them.

Physicians' Health-Related Quality of Life and Its Associated Factors During COVID-19 Pandemic in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Healthcare workers worldwide have been exposed to extraordinary stress during COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) level and its health and occupational associated factors among Jordanian physicians during COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional design using an online survey was adopted targeting physicians at different Jordanian hospitals. The study survey included demographics, HRQoL measured by 12-item Short Form health survey (SF-12) mental and physical components, physicians' evaluation of work conditions during COVID-19, Neck Disability Index (NDI), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS 21), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Descriptive analyses were conducted to summarize primary data. Factors associated with HRQoL were determined using a multiple variable regression analysis. In total, 326 physicians successfully completed the survey, 44.2% were males with mean age of 32.08 (±6.93). SF-12 mental component mean was 52.13 (±20.84) and physical component mean was 69.24 (±18.1). Physicians HRQoL level was significantly associated with levels of stress (β = -0.23, 95% CI -1.05 to -0.27), depression (β = -0.22, 95% CI -1.09 to -0.28), neck disability (β = -0.30, 95% CI -1.08 to -0.57), health self-evaluation (β = 0.14, 95% CI 1.66-7.87), sleep self-evaluation (β = 0.09, 95% CI 0.16-3.58), and physical activity level (β = 0.09, 95% CI 0.00-0.001). Jordanian physicians' level of HRQoL was relatively low during COVID-19. Healthcare facilities administrators should take into consideration factors associated with physicians' HRQoL level when planning for future healthcare emergencies.

Mental stress in health care professionals during COVID-19 outbreak

Background

In December 2019, an outbreak of novel corona virus pneumonia occurred in Wuhan City, China, and spread throughout the whole of country in a short period. Figures from China’s National Health Commission show that more than 3300 health care workers have been infected as of early March. In Italy, 20% of responding health care professionals was infected, and some have died. Health care professionals are exposed to different types of stress both physical and psychological in response to this serious infectious public health event.

Research aims

The aim of this study is to measure the degree of mental stress among front line health care workers dealing with COVID-19 patients.

Methods

We conducted the study through online survey questionnaire after obtaining the ethics approval from the Research Ethics Committee of Galway University Hospital in Ireland (Ref: C.A. 2355). All personal information of the medical staff involved in the survey has been kept confidential.

Results

Three hundred nine health care members (209 male and 97 female) have agreed to participate in our survey from different hospitals and different specialties all over the world. Overall PSS Score: mean 19.42 (Standard Deviation ± 5.876, range 1–33). Frontline health care workers working in University Hospitals and tertiary referral centres had lower levels of stress compared to those working in peripheral hospitals (P = 0.007, Kruskal Wallis).

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most stressful events that a health care worker may face during his life time. Most of the participants in the survey developed a moderate degree of stress.

Influence of COVID-19 Mobility-Restricting Policies on Individual Travel Behavior in Malaysia

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in new postpandemic travel patterns as a result of the stay-at-home policies and restricted movement orders imposed by the Malaysian government. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in individual travel behavior after the government imposed a series of lockdowns, also known as movement control orders (MCO). From March to April 2021, a questionnaire survey was distributed throughout Malaysia, and 435 complete responses were collected. Results indicated that the respondents predominantly chose private cars for various traveling purposes during the pandemic. When choosing a travel mode during the pandemic, married respondents and essential workers placed a significantly higher priority on pandemic-related - items such as cleanliness, infection concern, social distance, and wearing face masks, compared to single respondents and nonessential workers. Binary logistic regression models were developed to estimate individuals’ propensity to make trips for different purposes, i.e., work/study, social activities, recreational activities, and religious activities. Results indicated that essential workers were nearly three times more likely than the general population to make a work trip during the pandemic. Regarding social and recreational trips, males were more likely to make such types of trips as compared to females. Furthermore, those who perceived a higher risk of infection were less likely to make social and recreational trips. Regarding religious trips, males were significantly more likely to make such trips during the pandemic as compared to females. In addition, Muslims had significantly higher odds of making a trip for religious purposes during the pandemic. The findings of this study could be useful in transportation planning when considering travel restrictions during pandemics based on peoples’ travel purposes and mode choices.

Psychosocial support for providers working high-risk exposure settings during a pandemic: A critical discussion

Psychological first aid is a form of support designed to lessen disaster-related distress. In a pandemic, providers may need such support but with the high risk of exposure, such a program is offered only virtually. The research is scant for traditional post-disaster support and non-existent for virtual; therefore, by using related research this discussion considers the likelihood of providers accessing and benefiting from this program. The virtual platform is heralded as the responsible way to provide support in a pandemic but this standard may be ineffective and is inherently inequitable. As a global event, pandemics require containment strategies applicable on an international level; therefore, psychosocial support should also be developed with an international audience in mind. Online psychosocial support falls short of being such a strategy as it incorrectly assumes global internet access. Many low-income areas such as Sub-Saharan Africa will need support strategies which compliment local frontline staff and fit with community-driven initiatives, whereas wealthier countries may use a combination of onsite and online support. Provider psychosocial support needs in a pandemic, if articulated, are globally similar but how this support is offered requires contextually sensitive considerations not yet found in the literature.

Mind the gap: From recommendation to practice in crisis management. Exploring the gap between the "lessons identified" during exercise cygnus and the UK government response to COVID-19

The failure to learn lessons from crises is a common observation. The UK Government has been criticized for its response to the COVID-19 crisis. Many critics have highlighted the Government's apparent failure to learn the lessons from Exercise Cygnus, which made recommendations to improve the UK's response to a pandemic. This article compares and contrasts the UK Government's response with the exercise recommendations. It critiques the gaps using current crisis management literature and argues that to avoid future failings, more emphasis is needed on the effectiveness of recommendations from exercises. If this is not done, exercise lessons identified, and their recommendations will not be operationalized. This article argues that the successful transition from policy recommendation to practice requires recommendations to be contextualized, so they are feasible and practical, before they can be institutionalized. It introduces a practical framework and organizational actions on how future exercises can close the gap from lessons identified to be learned and shape practice.

Reinforcement and Maintenance of Human Resources for Health Systems during Long-Term Crises: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews

BACKGROUND

Human resources are one of the most critical organizational resources, the reinforcement and maintenance of whom require much energy in health organizations, particularly in long-term crises. Many methods have been suggested in this regard; however, there is a need for their integration and clarification.

METHODS

We systematically searched the international databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, from 2003 to April 2021by using some relevant keywords. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the AMSTAR checklist.

RESULTS

The search resulted in 1613 papers, among which there were 16 systematic reviews. The studies addressed a wide range of problems and solutions. Twelve items and four items were classified with moderate quality (AMSTER score 5-8) and high quality (AMSTER score 9-11), respectively. Half of the studies (n = 8) dealt with mental and psychological problems resulting from crises as the most important factor in the decline of health system staff's durability in organizations. They also provided different solutions such as mental health counselling during and after the crisis, flexible work schedule, promoted trust in the organization, support of staff's family, and enhanced awareness to support employees. And the other articles addressed managerial problems as the most critical factor in the decline of health system staff's durability in organizations and proposed solutions such as suitable planning before, during, and after the crisis and the use of material and spiritual incentives to increase the employees' motivation and organizational resilience to maintain the staff.

CONCLUSION

In the present review study, three dimensions (namely, resilience, motivation-hygiene measures, and development of manager's soft skills) are considered as the main factors reinforcing and maintaining human resources in the health systems in long-term crises and disasters.

Resilience and stress in frontline social workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore

As social work under normal circumstances is already a stress-laden helping profession, this study intended to examine the level of psychological distress among the frontline social workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether resilience and organizational support played a part in mitigating their psychological distress. Frontline social workers from various social service sectors across Singapore were surveyed using two standardized measurements to assess resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 25) and psychological distress (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21). A self-designed questionnaire comprising 10 items measured "personal" and "work-related" support at the organization. Sociodemographic data were captured using a structured questionnaire. The results showed that the frontline social workers, although resilient, were psychologically distressed in all the three areas of depression, anxiety and stress. The results indicated that those working in the Family Service Centers (FSC) were the most affected. Significant correlations were observed between psychological distress, resilience, and organizational support. Organizations must be mindful that support can help frontline staff who are usually younger and less experienced during challenging times such as the pandemic. Building the resilience of social workers will prepare them for their daily challenges and those that accompany unexpected situations.

Ljubljana Marshes Hot Air Balloon Crash: A Multiple Casualty Incident

On August 23rd, 2012 at 7:54 am a hot air balloon crashed in Ljubljana Marshes, leaving 32 injured on site. This case report analyses the biggest multiple casualty incident attended by University Medical Centre Ljubljana in recent history. Analysis of all segments regarding the incident was conducted: mobilisation, arrivals, triage, work-up, identification, public relations and outcome. Issues such as mobilisation, diagnostics, communication, documentation and intensive care unit space are discussed. Twenty-one patients arrived over 63 minutes, 8 of those were immediate resuscitation cases and 10 of those suffered burns. The average Injury Severity Score was 15.7 (ranging 3 to 50), 28.1 for admitted patients. 90% of patients had x-ray, 23% CT and 38% ultrasound diagnostic procedures. 33% of patients required urgent surgery and 60% of admitted cases required intensive care units. A relatives and media territory was established. CT location, loss of communication, inadequate documentation and intensive care bed space were most problematic. At 7-year follow up, we had a roughly 5% hospital fatality rate, 74% of patients gained full recovery and 21% good recovery. Even though the event occurred on a weekday during regular hours, it still exposed many weaknesses. A new radio frequency system for intra-hospital communication has been implemented, the multiple casualty incident protocol has been revised, and regular drills are now performed. Our emergency department is currently undergoing renovation to include CT diagnostics on the same floor. Plans have been made to ease documentation with dictation modules, whereas bed space remains unchanged.

Staffing in a Level 1 Trauma Center: Quantifying Capacity for Preparedness

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine who is involved in the care of a trauma patient.

METHODS

We recorded hospital personnel involved in 24 adult Priority 1 trauma patient admissions for 12 h or until patient demise. Hospital personnel were delineated by professional background and role.

RESULTS

We cataloged 19 males and 5 females with a median age of 50-y-old (interquartile range [IQR], 35.5-67.5). The average number of hospital personnel involved was 79.71 (standard deviation, 17.62; standard error 3.6). A median of 51.2% (IQR, 43.4%-59.8%) of personnel were first involved within hour 1. More personnel were involved in direct versus indirect care (median 54.5 [IQR, 47.5-67.0] vs 25.0 [IQR, 22.0-30.5]; P < 0.0001). Median number of health-care professionals and auxiliary staff were 74.5 (IQR, 63.5-90.5) and 6.0 (IQR, 5.0-7.0), respectively. More personnel were first involved in hospital locations external to the emergency department (median, 53.0 [IQR, 41.5-63.0] vs 27.5 [IQR, 24.0-30.0]; P < 0.0001). No differences existed in total personnel by Injury Severity Score (P = 0.1266), day (P = 0.7270), or time of admission (P = 0.2098).

CONCLUSIONS

A large number of hospital personnel with varying job responsibilities respond to severe trauma. These data may guide hospital staffing and disaster preparedness policies.

Workplace Well-Being and Intent to Stay by Health Care Workers Reassigned during the First COVID-19 Wave: Results of a Swiss Survey

Our study aimed at investigating the way not having the choice to be reassigned was associated to a poorer experience of reassignment among health care workers (HCWs) during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and indirectly to a lower workplace well-being and reduced intent to stay at the hospital. We also investigated the moderating role of the perceived hospital management responsiveness on these associations. A cross sectional survey was sent to all professionals from 11 hospitals and clinics in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, in July 2020. Out of 2811 professionals who completed the survey, 436 were HCWs reassigned to COVID-19 units during the first wave of the pandemic and constituted our analysis sample. Results indicated that hospital management responsiveness moderated the association between lack of choice and reassignment experience, indicating that the more HCWs perceived responsiveness, the less the lack of choice affected their experience of reassignment and thus their intent to stay and workplace well-being. Lack of choice during reassignments can reduce intent to stay and workplace well-being, in particular if hospital management is not perceived to be responsive during the crisis. Attempts by hospital management to find solutions, such as flexibility in working hours or extraordinary leaves, can alleviate the perceived constraints of reassignment and be considered signs of responsiveness from hospital management.

Risk Perception and Willingness to Work Among Doctors and Medical Students of Karachi, Pakistan During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Survey

Purpose

During the timeline of twenty years, several epidemics and pandemics have occurred. Yet, a consistent feature of these public health crises is the surge in the demand for healthcare services exceeds the availability.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted in the month of June and July 2020 in Karachi, Pakistan. The study participants included doctors and medical students residing in Karachi.

Results

Out of 187 doctors, 74.3% were working during the COVID-19 pandemic, of which 58.3% were willing to work. Out of 200 medical students, 93.5% were not volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic, of which 46% were willing to volunteer. Doctors strongly agreed that they would be willing to work during the COVID-19 pandemic if they were healthy and able to do so (57.2%), if they were provided personal protective equipment (PPE) (51.3%), and if they were guaranteed coverage of treatment cost if they get infected while working (57.8%). Medical students strongly agreed that they would be willing to volunteer during the COVID-19 pandemic if they were provided PPE (49.0%), and if their parents were supportive of their decision to volunteer (44.5%). Most doctors (54.5%) felt that they were extremely likely to get infected while working during the COVID-19 pandemic and 59.4% felt that in turn, they were extremely likely to infect their families as well. Most medical students (40.5%) felt that they were somewhat likely to get infected while volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic and 55.5% felt that in turn, they were extremely likely to infect their family as well. In the event of infection with COVID-19, 51.3% doctors and 42.0% medical students felt that they would recover without hospitalization.

Conclusion

Since future pandemics are likely, we encourage health-care policymakers to utilize the findings of this study to create a sustainable pandemic response.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare providers: save the frontline fighters

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare providers (HCPs) at personal and professional levels.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. It was conducted using an electronic format survey through Qualtrics Survey Software in English. The target participants were HCPs working in any healthcare setting across Iraq. The survey was distributed via two professional Facebook groups between 7 April and 7 May 2020. The survey items were adopted with modifications from three previous studies of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Avian Influenza Outbreak. Kruskal-Wallis test was conducted to determine the difference in the pandemic impact according to the dealing with COVID-19 cases.

KEY FINDINGS

The authors received 430 surveys from HCPs representing 14 provinces. Approximately 60% of the participants were dealing with diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19 cases. More than 80% perceived high risk of infection and stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, 85.9% of the HCPs had concerns of putting family and close friends at risk due to their job during the COVID-19 crisis. HCPs working in a setting dealing with diagnosis/treatment of COVID-19 cases experienced significantly higher concerns about personal and family safety compared with other HCPs.

CONCLUSIONS

Working during COVID-19 pandemic has several negative impacts on HCPs including mental and physical health and an overwhelming work environment. Thus, social and emotional support is needed to help HCPs to cope with such stressful conditions. Finally, providing adequate PPE can help to minimise concerns of getting infected in the workplace.

Resilience and Subjectively Experienced Stress Among Paramedics Prior to and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

INTRODUCTION

Paramedics play a vital role in the healthcare system by providing professional support in situations of direct threat to patient health and life. They experience numerous difficulties during their work, which result in occupational stress. During the COVID-19 pandemic, their work has become even more demanding. The aim of the current study was to examine the role of resilience in the subjective experience of stress among paramedics during the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was carried out in two phases, in October-November 2019 (N = 75) and in May-June 2020 (N = 84), using the Sense of Stress Questionnaire (Skala Poczucia Stresu) and the Resilience Scale (Skala Pomiaru Prężności).

RESULTS

Paramedics exhibited higher intrapsychic stress before the COVID-19 pandemic. Tolerance of failure and treating life as a challenge were higher during the pandemic, in contrast to optimism and the ability to mobilize in difficult situations. Paramedics who were in contact with patients with COVID-19 experienced higher stress. Perseverance and determination, openness to new experiences and sense of humor, as well as competences and tolerance of negative emotions were revealed to play a key part in mitigating subjectively experienced stress.

CONCLUSION

Paramedics' subjectively experienced stress was lower during the COVID-19 pandemic. Paramedics who were in direct contact with patients with COVID-19 experienced higher stress. They had sufficient psychological resources, in the form of resilience (perseverance and determination, openness to new experiences, sense of humor, and competences and tolerance of negative emotions), which allowed them to cope with the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rapid Assessment of COVID-19 Screening Program for Travelers in Iran: A Qualitative Study

OBJECTIVE

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) screening stations set up by Iranian Red Crescent Society have been available for 17 d with the aim of identifying and treating people with coronavirus, reducing road trips, and sensitizing people to the problem. This study aims to investigate the challenges of the procedure.

METHODS

A qualitative study was used to find the challenges of the COVID-19 screening centers. Volunteers, branch managers, and headquarter managers of the Iranian Red Crescent Society participated in this study applying snowball sampling. Data were collected by means of in-depth semi-structured telephone interviews in April 2020 after completion of the fever screening plan. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, always with prior permission of interviewees.

RESULTS

The interviews with 20 participants in the plan indicated 6 relevant challenges, including logistics, lack of planning, lack of coordination, legal challenges, mental health, and ethical challenges.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated that, although establishing fever detection centers in Iran was a rapid response to COVID-19, it had significant flaws in the structure and adversely affected volunteers' and staff's health and financial resources. Therefore, well-structured protocols are required for similar responses in the future.

A survey of Canadian emergency physicians' experiences and perspectives during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to explore Canadian emergency physicians' experiences, concerns, and perspectives during the first wave of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

METHODS

This cross-sectional survey of physician members of Pediatric Emergency Research Canada and the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians explored: personal safety/responsibility to care; patient interactions; ethical issues in pandemic care; institutional dynamics and communication practices. Data analysis was descriptive: categorical data were summarised with frequency distributions, continuous data [100 mm visual analog scales (VAS)] were analysed using measures of central tendency. Short open-ended items were coded to identify frequencies of responses.

RESULTS

From June 29 to July 29, 2020, 187 respondents (13% response rate) completed the survey: 39% were from Ontario and 20% from Quebec, trained in general (50%) or pediatric (37%) emergency medicine. Respondents reported a high moral obligation to care for patients (97/100, IQR: 85-100, on 100 mm VAS). Fear of contracting COVID-19 changed how 82% of respondents reported interacting with patients, while 97% reported PPE negatively impacted patient care. Despite reporting a high proportion of negative emotions (84%), respondents (59%) were not/slightly concerned about their mental health. Top concerns included a potential second wave, Canada's financial situation, worldwide solidarity, and youth mental health. Facilitators to provide emergency care included: teamwork, leadership, clear communications strategies.

CONCLUSION

Canadian emergency physicians felt a strong sense of responsibility to care, while dealing with several ethical dilemmas. Clear communication strategies, measures to ensure safety, and appropriate emergency department setups facilitate pandemic care. Emergency physicians were not concerned about their own mental health, requiring further exploration.

Impact of occupational exposure to COVID-19 on the physical and mental health of an essential workgroup: New York City transit workers

Background and purpose

Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, New York City (NYC) vowed to “keep the subways running” despite the lack of plans in place for protecting the health and well-being of transit workers. This study was designed to assess the impact of employment during the early phase of the pandemic on this essential frontline workforce.

Methods, settings, and study participants

A convenience sample of members (stratified by job title) of the NYC Transport Workers Union, Local 100, was recruited in August 2020 to participate in an anonymous, cross-sectional, internet-based survey.

Results

The demographics of the sample participants (N = 645) reflected union membership, ie, 82 percent male, 29 percent Black; 27 percent Hispanic, and 59 percent ≥age 50 years. At the time of the “NYC Pause” (March 22, 2020) when mandatory stay-at-home orders were issued, transit workers had limited worksite protections. Many reported a lack of such basics as face masks (43 percent), hand sanitizer (40 percent), and disposable gloves (34 percent). A high proportion (87 percent) were concerned about getting infected at work. Lack of certain protections was significantly associated with both fear of contagion at work and mental health symptoms. Nearly 24 per­cent of participants reported a history of COVID-19 infection. Self-reported infection was significantly correlated with lack of certain protections, including respiratory masks (p < 0.001), disposable gloves (p < 0.001), and hand sanitizer (p < 0.001). Infection was also significantly associated with mental health symptoms (p < 0.001). By August 2020, despite participants reporting that many worksite protections were then in place, 72 percent of workers were still fearful for their safety at work, eg, because of potential exposure due to passengers not wearing masks, and risk of verbal abuse and physical assault by passengers angered when asked to wear face masks. Workers who were fearful for their safety at work were more than six times more likely to report mental health symptoms (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Lack of worksite protections before “NYC Pause” (March 22, 2020) was significantly associated with self-reported infection, fear, and mental health symptoms in TWU, Local 100 members. To reduce the risk of adverse impacts associated with bioevents in all essential work groups, and across all essential occupational settings, infection control preparedness, early recognition of risk, and implementation of tailored risk reduction strategies are imperative. Pandemic preparedness is fundamental to protecting the health and well-being of essential workers and crucial in controlling the spread of disease in the community. Bioevent preparedness for all essential frontline workgroups will also help reduce occupational health inequities. Workers at risk, regardless of setting, deserve and have the right to equal protections under federal and state law.