Healthcare Professionals’ Preparedness for COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Northern India

Abstract

Background: Health care agencies have framed guidelines for healthcare professionals (HCPs) to manage COVID-19 pandemic but still there is paucity of Indian data on HCPs preparedness.
 Aim: To assess level of perceived preparedness of healthcare professionals against COVID-19.
 Method: This cross-sectional study included 1218 HCPs (nurses, physicians and technicians) from government and private institutes through convenience sampling technique. Online survey was done to assess preparedness of HCPs against COVID-19, using self-structured questionnaire based on HCPs preparedness checklists released by WHO and CDC.
 Results: Only 42.4% HCPs considered themselves prepared for donning and doffing of PPE and around 65.8% were confident in providing direct patient care. Gender had significant difference (P<0.001) on level of perceived preparedness of HCPs. Younger participants shown higher level of preparedness than older participants (P=0.022). Technicians were less prepared with significantly low mean scores 10.36±2.55 than nurses (11.45±2.45) and physicians (11.68±2.17; p=.038). HCPs working in tertiary level institutes had significantly higher mean preparedness scores (11.86±2.89; P<.001) than those working in primary (10.49±2.68) and secondary level institutes (10.57±2.35).
 Conclusion: All HCPs should be strongly encouraged for regular participation in training and simulation exercises arranged by institute as continuing education, which may enhance their preparedness against COVID-19 pandemic.