This page has only limited features, please log in for full access.
This study evaluates the perceptions of preparedness and willingness to work during disasters and public health emergencies among 213 healthcare workers at hospitals in the southern region of Saudi Arabia by using a quantitative survey (Fight or Flight). The results showed that participants’ willingness to work unconditionally during disasters and emergencies varied based on the type of condition: natural disasters (61.97%), seasonal influenza pandemic (52.58%), smallpox pandemic (47.89%), SARS/COVID-19 pandemic (43.56%), special flu pandemic (36.15%), mass shooting (37.56%), chemical incident and bombing threats (31.92%), biological events (28.17%), Ebola outbreaks (27.7%), and nuclear incident (24.88%). A lack of confidence and the absence of safety assurance for healthcare workers and their family members were the most important reasons cited. The co-variation between age and education versus risk and danger by Spearman’s rho confirmed a small negative correlation between education and danger at a 95% level of significance, meaning that educated healthcare workers have less fear to work under dangerous events. Although the causes of unsuccessful management of disasters and emergencies may vary, individuals’ characteristics, such as lack of confidence and emotional distractions because of uncertainty about the safety issues, may also play a significant role. Besides educational initiatives, other measures, which guarantee the safety of healthcare providers and their family members, should be established and implemented.
Mohammed Sultan; Jarle Løwe Sørensen; Eric Carlström; Luc Mortelmans; Amir Khorram-Manesh. Emergency Healthcare Providers’ Perceptions of Preparedness and Willingness to Work during Disasters and Public Health Emergencies. Healthcare 2020, 8, 442 .
AMA StyleMohammed Sultan, Jarle Løwe Sørensen, Eric Carlström, Luc Mortelmans, Amir Khorram-Manesh. Emergency Healthcare Providers’ Perceptions of Preparedness and Willingness to Work during Disasters and Public Health Emergencies. Healthcare. 2020; 8 (4):442.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMohammed Sultan; Jarle Løwe Sørensen; Eric Carlström; Luc Mortelmans; Amir Khorram-Manesh. 2020. "Emergency Healthcare Providers’ Perceptions of Preparedness and Willingness to Work during Disasters and Public Health Emergencies." Healthcare 8, no. 4: 442.
This study was aimed at assessing the readiness of 200 emergency nurses in the southern part of Saudi Arabia in the management of public health emergencies, major incidents, and disasters by using quantitative research through a self-reporting validated questionnaire containing 10 different dimensions. All registered nurses working in emergency departments who were willing to participate, of all ages and gender groups, were included. Nurses who were not present during the study period because of vacation or maternity leave, nurses at the managerial level, and nursing aides were excluded. The participating nurses reported good knowledge in almost all investigated aspects of the theoretical dimensions of emergency management. However, they revealed perceived weaknesses in practical dimensions of emergency management and difficulties in assessing their own efforts. There was a significant correlation between qualification and the dimensions of emergency preparedness, epidemiology and surveillance, isolation and quarantine and critical resources, which indicates a need for strengthening their practical contribution as well as their theoretical knowledge. Educational initiatives combining theoretical and practical aspects of emergency management may provide an opportunity to examine nurses’ knowledge, skills, and abilities continuously in an environment with no harm to patients.
Mohammed Sultan; Amir Khorram-Manesh; Eric Carlström; Jarle Sørensen; Hadi Sulayyim; Fabian Taube. Nurses’ Readiness for Emergencies and Public Health Challenges—The Case of Saudi Arabia. Sustainability 2020, 12, 7874 .
AMA StyleMohammed Sultan, Amir Khorram-Manesh, Eric Carlström, Jarle Sørensen, Hadi Sulayyim, Fabian Taube. Nurses’ Readiness for Emergencies and Public Health Challenges—The Case of Saudi Arabia. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (19):7874.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMohammed Sultan; Amir Khorram-Manesh; Eric Carlström; Jarle Sørensen; Hadi Sulayyim; Fabian Taube. 2020. "Nurses’ Readiness for Emergencies and Public Health Challenges—The Case of Saudi Arabia." Sustainability 12, no. 19: 7874.