National Journal of Community Medicine
Original Article
Year: 2020 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 6 | Page No: 248-253
Healthcare Professionals’ Preparedness for COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Northern India
Author:
Suresh K Sharma1, Shiv Kumar Mudgal2, Priya Sharma3
Affiliation:
1Professor and Principal, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh
2Tutor, College of Nursing, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh
3Tutor, College of Nursing, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh
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 convenient sampling technique. Online survey was done to assess preparedness of HCPs against COVID-19, using self-structured questionnaire based on HCPs preparedness checklists re-leased by WHO and CDC. Results: Only 42.4% HCPs considered themselves prepared for don-ning 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.
Keywords: COVID-19, healthcare professionals, preparedness, SARS-CoV-2
DOI: 10.5455/njcm.20200617084835
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