Abstract
Background: The willingness of healthcare workers to risk their lives for a patient if a fatal transformation of the virus would occur is a major concern, especially during a pandemic where the need for adequate staffing is crucial and where the public atmosphere might increase anxiety and fear of exposure. Objective: To examine the relationships between the source of information about the disease and the willingness of healthcare workers to risk their lives for a patient with a fatal A/H1N1 flu, during the winter A/H1N1 pandemic in Israel. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to healthcare workers in 21 hospitals and 40 primary clinics in Israel between November 26, 2009 and December 10, 2009 (the peak of the winter A/H1N1 flu outbreak). Results: The questionnaire was completed by 1147 healthcare workers. The most common source of information reported was television (65%), followed by speaking with colleagues and reading the Ministry of Health regulations (63%) each, internet (61%), and newspapers (51%). The least common sources of information were reading a scientific article (35%) and attending a professional lecture (31%). Willingness to risk one’s life was significantly higher in healthcare workers who reported that their source of information about the disease was reading a scientific article, Ministry of Health regulations, a professional lecture, or a colleague. Willingness was not significantly different among health care workers who reported that their source of information about the disease was television programs, a newspaper article, or general internet sites. Conclusions: Willingness to risk one’s life for a patient is directly related to professional sources of information and is not related to nonprofessional information obtained from mass media.
Highlights
In March 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an A/H1N1 influenza pandemic
Willingness to risk one’s life for a patient is directly related to professional sources of information and is not related to nonprofessional information obtained from mass media
This study examined the relationship between the sources of information about the disease and the willingness of healthcare workers to risk their lives for a patient with a fatal A/H1N1 flu
Summary
In March 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an A/H1N1 influenza pandemic. The first verified flu death was reported on July 25, 2009 and by November 5, 2009, 40 deaths had occurred, most in patients with a chronic disease [2]. Barriers to willingness include fear and concern for family and self, and personal health problems, many of which are amenable to intervention [3]. Other parameters related to willingness to attend work during a pandemic flu are sense of security, professional commitment, perceived professional competence, and trust in employers [4]. The willingness of healthcare workers to risk their lives for a patient if a fatal transformation of the virus would occur is a major concern, especially during a pandemic where the need for adequate staffing is crucial and where the public atmosphere might increase anxiety and fear of exposure
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