Hostname: page-component-745bb68f8f-hvd4g Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-01-09T00:26:59.010Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Willingness of Health Care Personnel to Work in a Disaster: An Integrative Review of the Literature

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 April 2013

Mary Chaffee
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Effective hospital surge response in disaster depends largely on an adequate number of personnel to provide care. Studies appearing since 1991 indicate health care personnel may not be willing to work in all disaster situations—and if so, this could degrade surge response. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to determine the state of the evidence concerning the willingness of health care personnel to work in disaster. The aims of this review are to collate and assess the literature concerning willingness of health care personnel to work during a disaster, to identify gaps in the literature as areas for future investigation, and to facilitate evidence-based disaster planning. Twenty-seven studies met inclusion criteria (25 quantitative and 2 qualitative studies). The current evidence indicates there may be certain factors related to willingness to work (or lack of willingness) in disaster including the type of disaster, concern for family, and concerns about personal safety. Barriers to willingness to work have been identified including pet care needs and the lack of personal protective equipment. This review describes the state of an emerging area of science. These findings have significant implications for community and organizational emergency planning and policymaking in an environment defined by limited resources. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3:42–56)

Keywords

willingnessdisasterworkhospitalpersonnel
Type
Review
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 3 , Issue 1 , March 2009 , pp. 42 - 56
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1.Abramson, D, Morse, S, Garrett, A, et alPublic health disaster research: surveying the field, defining its future. Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2007;1:57–62.Google Scholar
2.Auf der Heide, E. The importance of evidence-based disaster planning. Ann Emerg Med. 2006;47:34–49.Google Scholar
3.Chaffee, M. Making the decision to report to work in a disaster. Am J Nurs. 2006;106:54–57.Google Scholar
4.Gershon, R, Qureshi, K, Stone, P, et alHome health care challenges and avian influenza. Home Health Care Manag Pract. 2007;20:58–69.Google Scholar
5.Perry, R. What is a disaster?Rodriguez H, Quarantelli E, Dynes R Handbook of Disaster Research. New York: Springer; 2006 1–15.Google Scholar
6.Alexander, D. Principles of Emergency Planning and Management. New York: Oxford University Press; 2002.Google Scholar
7.Bonnett, C, Peery, B, Cantrill, S, et alSurge capacity: a proposed conceptual framework. Am J Emerg Med. 2007;25:297–306.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8.Kaji, A, Koenig, K, Bey, T. Surge capacity for healthcare systems: a conceptual framework. Acad Emerg Med. 2006;13:1157–1159.Google Scholar
9.DiGiovanni, C. The spectrum of human reactions to terrorist attacks with weapons of mass destruction: early management considerations. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2003;18:253–257.Google Scholar
10.Tierney, K. Disaster beliefs and institutional interests: recycling disaster myths in the aftermath of 9–11.Clarke L Terrorism and Disaster: New Threats, New Ideas. Vol 11. New York: Elsevier; 2003 33–51.Google Scholar
11.Dynes, R. The concept of role in disaster research. In: Dynes R, DeMarchi B, Pelanda C, eds. Sociology of Disasters: Contribution to Sociology of Disaster Research. Milan: Franco Angeli; 1987 71–102.Google Scholar
12.Webb, G, Beverly, M, McMichael, M, et alRole Improvising Under Conditions of Uncertainty: A Classification of Types. Newark: University of Delaware Disaster Research Center; 1999.Google Scholar
13. Quarantelli H. Structural Factors in the Minimization of Role Conflict: A Reexamination of the Significance of Multiple Group Membership in Disasters. Columbus: Ohio State University Disaster Research Center; undated.Google Scholar
14.Bankoff, G, Frerks, G, Hilhorst, D. Mapping Vulnerability—Disasters, Development, & People. London: Earthscan; 2004.Google Scholar
15.Perrow, C. Normal Accidents. New York: Basic Books; 1984.Google Scholar
16.Alexander, Y. Terrorism in the twenty-first century: An overview. In: Alexander Y, Prior S, eds. Terrorism and Medical Responses: U.S. Lessons and Policy Implications. Ardsley, NY: Transnational Publishers; 2001.Google Scholar
17.Garwin, R. The many threats of terror. In: Silvers R, Epstein B, eds. Striking Terror—America's New War. New York: New York Review Books; 2002.Google Scholar
18.Koh, D, Lim, M, Chia, S, et alRisk perception and impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) on work and personal lives of healthcare workers in Singapore: what can we learn?. Med Care. 2005;43:676–682.Google Scholar
19.Chaffee, M. A Predictive-Correlational Study of the Willingness of Personnel in a Military Hospital to Work in a Disaster. Baltimore: University of Maryland; 2007.Google Scholar
20.Smith, E. Emergency health care workers' willingness to work during major emergencies and disasters. Aust J Emerg Manage. 2007;22:21–24.Google Scholar
21.Benzies, K, Premij, S, Hayden, K, et alState-of-the-evidence reviews: advantages and challenges of including grey literature. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. 2006;3:55–61.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22.Gifford, W, Davies, B, Edwards, N, et alManagerial leadership for nurses' use of research evidence: an integrative review of the literature. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. 2007;4:126–145.Google Scholar
23.Dixon-Woods, M, Agarwal, S, Jones, D, et alSynthesizing qualitative and quantitative evidence: a review of possible methods. J Health Serv Res Policy. 2005;10:45–53.Google Scholar
24.Jack, S. Utility of qualitative research findings in evidence-based public health practice. Public Health Nurs. 2006;23:277–283.Google Scholar
25.Shapira, Y, Marganitt, B, Roziner, I, et alWillingness of staff to report to their hospital duties following an unconventional missile attack: a state-wide survey. Isr J Med Sci. 1991;27:704–711.Google Scholar
26.French, E, Sole, M, Byers, J. A comparison of nurses' needs/concerns and hospital disaster plans following Florida's Hurricane Floyd. J Emerg Nurs. 2002;28:111–117.Google Scholar
27.Lanzilotti, S, Galanis, D, Leoni, N, et alHawaii medical professionals assessment. Hawaii Med J. 2002;61:162–173.Google Scholar
28.Qureshi, K, Merrill, J, Gershon, R, et alEmergency preparedness training: a pilot study. J Urban Health. 2002;79:413–416.Google Scholar
29.Alexander, G, Wynia, M. Ready and willing: physicians' sense of preparedness for bioterrorism. Health Aff. 2003;22:189–197.Google Scholar
30.DiGiovanni, C, Reynolds, B, Harwell, R, et alCommunity reaction to bioterrorism: prospective study of a simulated outbreak. Emerg Infect Dis. 2003;9:708–712.Google Scholar
31.Chasm, R, Wie, DV, Wegner, S. Chemical-biological attack: will the providers put themselves at risk? [abstract]. Ann Emerg Med. 2003;42 (Suppl 1) 390.Google Scholar
32.Martens, K, Hantsch, C, Stake, C. Emergency preparedness survey: personnel availability and support needs. Ann Emerg Med. 2003;42 (Suppl 1) 389.Google Scholar
33.Gullion, J. School nurses as volunteers in a bioterrorism event. Biosecur Bioterror. 2004;2:112–117.Google Scholar
34.Steffen, C, Masterson, L, Christos, S, et alWillingness to respond: a survey of emergency department personnel and their predicted participation in mass casualty terrorist events. Ann Emerg Med. 2004;44 (Suppl) S34.Google Scholar
35.Young, C, Persell, D. Biological, chemical, and nuclear terrorism readiness: major concerns and preparedness of future nurses. Disaster Manag Response. 2004;2:109–114.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
36.Cowan, A, Ching, P, Clark, S, et alWillingness of private physicians to be involved in smallpox preparedness and response activities. Biosecur Bioterror. 2005;3:16–22.Google Scholar
37.DiMaggio, C, Markenson, D, Loo, G, et alThe willingness of U.S. emergency medical technicians to respond to terrorist incidents. Biosecur Bioterror. 2005;3:331–337.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
38.Crane, J. Assessment of the Community Healthcare Providers' Ability and Willingness to Respond to Bioterrorist Attack in Florida. Tampa: University of South Florida; 2005.Google Scholar
39.Qureshi, K, Gershon, R, Sherman, M, et alHealth care workers' ability and willingness to report to duty during catastrophic disasters. J Urban Health. 2005;82:378–388.Google Scholar
40.Balicer, R, Omer, S, Barnett, D, et alLocal public health workers' perceptions toward responding to an influenza pandemic. BMC Public Health. 2006;6:1–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
41.Katz, A, Nekorchuk, D, Holck, P, et alDentists' preparedness for responding to bioterrorism. J Am Dent Assoc. 2006;137:461–467.Google Scholar
42.Shaw, K, Chilcott, A, Hansen, E, et alThe GP's response to pandemic influenza: a qualitative study. Fam Pract. 2006;23:267–272.Google Scholar
43.Hogg, W, Huston, P, Martin, C, et alEnhancing public health response to respiratory epidemics—are family physicians willing to help?. Can Fam Physician. 2006;52:1254–60.Google Scholar
44.Cone, D, Cummings, B. Hospital disaster staffing: if you call, will they come?. Am J Disaster Med. 2006;1:28–36.Google Scholar
45.Syrett, J, Benitez, J, Livingston, W, et alWill emergency health care providers respond to mass casualty incidents?. Prehosp Emerg Care. 2007;11:49–54.Google Scholar
46.Schechter, S. Medical Reserve Corps Volunteers' Ability and Willingness to Report to Work for the Department of Health During Catastrophic Disasters. Monterey, CA: Naval Postgraduate School; 2007.Google Scholar
47.Mackler, N, Wilkerson, W, Cinti, S. Will first-responders show up for work during a pandemic? Lessons from a smallpox vaccination survey of paramedics. Disaster Manag Response. 2007;5:45–48.Google Scholar
48.Kruus, L, Karras, D, Seals, B, et alHealthcare Worker Response to Disaster Conditions. Chicago: Society of Academic Emergency Medicine; 2007.Google Scholar
49.Irvin, C, Cindrich, L, Patterson, W, et alHospital personnel response during a hypothetical influenza pandemic: will they come to work?. Acad Emerg Med. 2007;14 (Suppl 1) S13.Google Scholar
50.Girden, E. Evaluating Research Articles. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 2001.Google Scholar
51.Locke, L, Silverman, J, Spiraduso, W. Reading and Understanding Research. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 2004.Google Scholar
52.Conn, V, Valentine, J, Cooper, H, et alGrey literature in meta-analyses. Nurs Res. 2003;52:256–261.Google Scholar
53.Nunnally, J, Bernstein, I. Psychometric Theory. 3rd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 1994.Google Scholar
54.Litwin, M. How to Assess and Interpret Survey Psychometrics. 2nd ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 2003.Google Scholar
55.Waltz, C, Strickland, O, Lenz, E. Measurement in Nursing and Health Research. 3rd ed. New York: Springer; 2005.Google Scholar
56.Polit, D, Beck, C. Nursing Research—Generating and Assessing Evidence for Nursing Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008.Google Scholar
57.Wilson, E. Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge. New York: Vintage Books; 1998.Google Scholar
58. Montgomery J. The Katrina experience: emergency management lessons learned. Presented at The National Emergency Management Summit, New Orleans, LA, March 4–6, 2007.Google Scholar
59.McCoy, J, Stackpoole, S. When a hurricane strikes: the challenge of crafting workplace policy. In: Mason D, Leavitt J, Chaffee M, eds. Policy and Politics in Nursing and Health Care. 5th ed. St Louis: Elsevier; 2007.Google Scholar
60.Benedek, D, Fullerton, C, Ursano, R. First responders: mental health consequences of natural and human-made disasters for public health and public safety workers. Annu Rev Public Health. 2007;28:55–68.Google Scholar