EMS workers willingness to report to work during a flu epidemic

Background: EMS workers role in the response to pandemic flu is vital. It is therefore important to understand the factors influencing their willingness to respond during such times. An efficient response to a wide spread disease will rely upon the continuing of routine work by the majority of the workers of the national emergency health service - Magen David Adom (MDA). Aims: To define the factors that will affect the willingness of MDA workers to report to work during a flu pandemic Methods: A representative sample of Israel national EMS workers was surveyed between November 2009 and January 2010. Questionnaires enquired about knowledge and attitudes of MDA workers regarding pandemic flu and factors that may influence their willingness to report to work. Results: 396 questionnaires were completed, comprising 35% of all workers in the organization in a proportional geographic sampling. The majority of the population were male (73%), 84% were aged 20-49, half had high-school education only. The two important factors contributing to willingness to report to work were own physical protection and family safety: 28% of the subjects felt unprotected at work during a flu pandemic. 22% of the subjects believed that their family could not manage in their absence. Nevertheless, willingness to report to work was very high (92%). Conclusions and recommendations: Workers reported high commitment to work, yet they conveyed two specific concerns: deficient sense of protection and family safety. Employers should seek to improve the sense of protection while working, train and educate regarding sibling illness.