We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
READINESS TO WORK AND THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ATTITUDES OF RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS WORKING IN SAUDI ARABIA DURING THE MIDDLE EASTERN RESPIRATORY SYNDROME-CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC.
- Authors
Alruwaili, Naif M.; Goodfellow, Lynda T.; Gardenhire, Douglas S.; Zimmerman, Ralph (Chip) D.
- Abstract
Background: In spite of previous lessons learned from other influenza outbreaks (SARS and H1N1), the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) resulted in a high level of psychological stress among Respiratory Therapists (RTs) in the Middle East. This may have resulted from direct contact and/or exposure of many healthcare workers to the virus when treating the ill. The purpose of this study was to assess RTs knowledge, skills and attitudes, in conjunction to their readiness level to work and training status during the MERS-CoV occurrence. Methods: A survey was created from questions used in two previous published studies. This modified instrument consisted of two parts: the knowledge, skills and attitudes; and the readiness to come to work assessment. After IRB approval, a web-link survey was emailed to all Saudi Society for Respiratory Care (SSRC) members, (N=750). Data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0. Results: Response rate was 25% (n = 187). Respondents who previously attended MERS-CoV training programs had higher mean Skills and Knowledge scores than those who had not attended training programs. There was no significant effect between training level and Attitude scores. With the set p value @ 0.05, there were significant differences found between the various work positions (p = 0.03); and gender and work position (p = 0.01) in terms of readiness level to come to work. Moderate correlations were seen between readiness to work and MERS-CoV knowledge (r = .41, p < 0.001), and between Skills and knowledge (r = .52, p < 0.001) with a weak correlation between readiness to work and Skills (r = 0.26, p = .001). Conclusions: This was the first known study investigating Saudi RT's reaction towards global epidemic influenza challenges, and the association between the RTs' readiness ro work and their Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes during a MERS-CoV epidemic. These findings can provide the opportunity for health policy makers to rethink emergency policies, coordination efforts, and to form a more flexible bureaucracy. For Saudi RT's as emergency responders, there is an urgent need for emergency mitigation, preparedness, and planning to respond effectively for future pandemic disasters.
- Subjects
SAUDI Arabia; ATTITUDE (Psychology); CLINICAL competence; EPIDEMICS; MEDICAL personnel; PROFESSIONS; RESPIRATORY therapists; MERS coronavirus
- Publication
Respiratory Care, 2016, Vol 61, Issue 10, pOF31
- ISSN
0020-1324
- Publication type
Article