TY - JOUR
T1 - Willingness of frontline health care workers to work during a public health emergency
AU - Hope, Kirsty
AU - Durrheim, David
AU - Barnett, Daniel
AU - D'Este, Catherine
AU - Kewley, Christopher
AU - Dalton, Craig
AU - Manager, Nadine White
AU - Kohlhagen, Julie
AU - Links, Jonathan
PY - 2010/7
Y1 - 2010/7
N2 - As the effectiveness of a health care response during a disaster depends on an available, skilled and motivated front line health workforce, it is essential to understand and address potential barriers to their participation. We conducted a survey of front line health staff employed in a large regional health workforce in Australia to determine their perceived willingness to report to work during three public health emergency scenarios (weather event, influenza pandemic and bioterrorism event). While willingness to report to work differed by scenario, our research indicated that a similar framework for preparing staff and their families could apply to all disaster scenarios. To ensure that frontline health staff will report to work when they are most needed, response plans should ensure personal confidence in their defined role, emphasising the value of their role and addressing their family concerns.
AB - As the effectiveness of a health care response during a disaster depends on an available, skilled and motivated front line health workforce, it is essential to understand and address potential barriers to their participation. We conducted a survey of front line health staff employed in a large regional health workforce in Australia to determine their perceived willingness to report to work during three public health emergency scenarios (weather event, influenza pandemic and bioterrorism event). While willingness to report to work differed by scenario, our research indicated that a similar framework for preparing staff and their families could apply to all disaster scenarios. To ensure that frontline health staff will report to work when they are most needed, response plans should ensure personal confidence in their defined role, emphasising the value of their role and addressing their family concerns.
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M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:77957883534
SN - 1324-1540
VL - 25
SP - 39
EP - 47
JO - Australian Journal of Emergency Management
JF - Australian Journal of Emergency Management
IS - 3
ER -