Perception and Attitude of Emergency Room Resident Physicians toward Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Outbreak.

Mohammed Al Ghobain,Najed Alotaibi,Abdullah Alenezi,Turki Aldrees,Dana Aldabeeb,Abdulrahman Aldhabib,Sami Alharethy,Saleh Alqaryan,Shaker Alghalibi

doi:10.1155/2017/6978256

Abstract

Introduction. Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreaks have had a considerable negative impact on health systems in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to study the psychological impact of a Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak on emergency room resident physicians (ERRPs). Methods. We assessed the MERS-related psychological impact and concerns of ERRPs using a self-report questionnaire. Results. The majority (91%) of the ERRPs agreed that their work put them at risk of infection, but most (65%) did not agree that they should not be looking after patients infected with MERS. Despite that, 54% of ERRPs reported being afraid of contracting the infection from infected patients and only 4.2% of them were willing to change their current job. The majority of the ERRPs (85%) felt that their job would expose their families to risk of infection. Conclusions. Our study demonstrated the considerable psychological impact of MERS outbreaks on ERRPs. The ERRPs' concerns and the psychological impact of MERS outbreaks should be considered in greater detail by hospital policymakers.

Highlights

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreaks have had a considerable negative impact on health systems in Saudi Arabia
Fifty-six percent of the emergency room resident physicians (ERRPs) rated their knowledge about MERS-CoV as inadequate while 63% had had direct contact with at least one patient infected with MERS-CoV (Table 1)
I would be afraid of telling my family about the risk I am exposed to (n = 94) People would avoid me because of my job (n = 93) There would be inadequate staff in my workplace to handle the increased demand (n = 94) I would feel more stressed at work (n = 94) I would have an increase in workload (n = 92) I have attended infection control training sessions (n = 93) In our hospital, we have enough infection control staff (n = 93) Our hospital has a clear plan to handle a MERS outbreak (n = 93) Received adequate personal protective equipment training (n = 93) I am personally prepared for MERS (n = 93) MERS: Middle East respiratory syndrome

Summary

Introduction

Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreaks have had a considerable negative impact on health systems in Saudi Arabia. We aimed to study the psychological impact of a Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak on emergency room resident physicians (ERRPs). The majority (91%) of the ERRPs agreed that their work put them at risk of infection, but most (65%) did not agree that they should not be looking after patients infected with MERS. 54% of ERRPs reported being afraid of contracting the infection from infected patients and only 4.2% of them were willing to change their current job. Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a deadly and contagious disease caused by a novel coronavirus (MERSCoV) that has had an intensive impact on the healthcare system.

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion