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Kristine Qureshi, RN, DNSc, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168 Street, New York, NY 10032, 212 342 0555, kaq5@columbia.edu, Robyn R.M. Gershon, MHS DrPH, Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, 600 west 168th st, 4th floor, New York, NY 10032, Eric Gebbie, MA, MIA, Center for Public Health Preparedness, SUNY-Albany School of Public Health, One University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, Michael McCollum, BA, Center for Public Health Preparedness, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168 Street, New York, NY 10032, and Martin Sherman, PhD, Loyola College, 4501 North Charles Street, 222-B Batty Hall, Baltimore, MD 21210-2699.
The role of the healthcare workforce is being redefined and expanded to include response to terrorist events. For overall national disaster preparedness, the U.S. requires a healthcare workforce that, in addition to being competent, is also willing & able to report to duty during various types of incidents. To explore this issue, we recently conducted a survey of healthcare employees to identify their ability and willingness to report to duty during catastrophic disasters. A convenience sample of 6,428 employees from 50 healthcare facilities in the NYC metropolitan region completed an anonymous questionnaire. The survey instrument included demographic information, 7 different well-defined scenarios and questions about ability and willingness to report to duty. Barriers identified were: obligations for childcare, eldercare and pet care; personal health problems; fears for family & self; first responder obligations; transportation issues. Physicians were more likely than other groups to be able or willing to report to duty for any type of incident. Overall willingness vs. ability differed by incident type (willingness%/ability %): MCI (72/69), environmental (83/86), weather (51/81), chemical (73/69), smallpox outbreak (69/61), radiation incident (66/59) and SARS (66/50). Healthcare workers ability and willingness varies by type of incident and occupational group, and barriers exist that influence employees’ decisions regarding reporting to work. Employers have an opportunity to address barriers and facilitate employees’ ability and willingness to report to duty during a disaster.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation the learner will be able to
Keywords: Disasters, Workforce
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.