Emergency response willingness among public health workers: A qualitative evaluation of an extended parallel process model (EPPM)-centered curricular intervention

Background In light of an uptick in the number of federally-declared disasters and the concurrent staffing shortage among local health departments (LHDs) nationwide, it is critical that LHDs maintain an all-hands-on-deck approach to public health emergency response. Ensuring such an approach fundamentally requires the willingness of these workers to report to duty when called upon to do so. Quantitative findings have supported efficacy and threat perceptions as important predictors of self-reported response willingness among a variety of health worker cohorts.

Methods Between 2010 and 2012, eight geographically representative clusters of U.S. local health departments received a multi-method curriculum, developed using the framework of Witte's Extended Parallel Process Model. In alignment with this model, the curriculum focused on modifying perceptions of self-efficacy, response efficacy, and threat related to specific hazards in the all hazards spectrum among participants. Two to three rounds of focus groups were held after the training was complete. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed for themes using NVIVO8 qualitative analysis software.

Results Overall, participants reported that despite challenges in administration, the curriculum was well designed and appropriate for combining multiple management levels and disciplines. The qualitative findings support quantitative findings of the curriculum's benefit in improving self efficacy and willingness to respond among participants.

Conclusion It is believed that this training or others developed under the EPPM framework have the potential to enhance emergency response willingness and related self-efficacy among LHD workers.