Reporting for duty during disease outbreaks: the views of EMS providers
Date
2017
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
In the last century, our globe has been affected by a number of notable
pandemics. The Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1919 infected one third of the world’s
population and killed an astonishing 50 million people (Fineberg, 2014). Since this
pandemic, the deadliest in recorded history, several other disease outbreaks have
swept through the world, including “Swine Flu” in 2009, Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS) in 2003, and Ebola in early 2014. The number of people who have
died of flu in the last century exceeds anything else in history (Bunting, 2008). Among
those who became ill or lost their lives during these more recent disease outbreaks
were a disproportionate number of healthcare providers (Singer et al., 2003). ☐ An essential component of the healthcare system that is expected to be in the
frontlines during public health emergencies is the emergency medical services (EMS).
Yet, this system is exceptionally understudied when it comes to working during
disasters and public health emergencies. This study, therefore, assesses EMS
providers’ views about working during the events such as disease outbreaks and
explores the factors that may influence their willingness to continue working during
such situations. ☐ This study uses a mixed methods approach, which was implemented in two
phases. In the first phase, interviews were conducted to assess the views of EMS
providers about working during disease outbreaks, and the factors that may influence
their decision-making related to whether to report to work. ATLAS.ti was used during
analysis to code data and develop themes of study. In the second phase, an online
survey was developed and disseminated using the Qualtrics software to assess the
extent to which EMS providers are willing to work during disease outbreaks. The
survey is also used to assess how the factors that were explored in the first phase could
influence the decision-making process on reporting for duty. SPSS was used to
analyze data, create descriptive statistics, and assess for significance. ☐ This project presents interesting findings. The interviews show that while
participants are “excited” to work during natural disasters, they are a little concerned
about working during disease outbreaks. Yet, their concerns may not prevent them
from fulfilling their work obligations. Family safety, training, resources, and
confidence in their employer are among the most important factors viewed to
influence the decision to come to work during disease outbreaks. The interviews
showed high confidence in the employer to provide training, resources, and other
measures to keep the providers and their families safe. It seems that the influencing
factors have less of potential effects than expected and reported in prior research
studies. The survey supported the interview findings in some ways, but contradicted
them in others. ☐ This study provides the base upon which EMS, public health, and emergency
management agencies can formulate actions that emerged from the views of EMS
providers concerning work during disasters and public health emergencies. They can
obtain insights from the findings of this project to develop their plans and implement
strategies that enhance the safety in the workplace that, in turn, bolster the dedication
and willingness of EMS providers to stay on to work during such conditions.
Description
Keywords
Health and environmental sciences, Disease outbreaks, EMS, Paramedics, Prehospital, Reporting to work, Willingness to work during disasters