Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-xtgtn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-23T11:12:52.730Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

How Do Doctors and Nurses in Emergency Departments in Hong Kong View Their Disaster Preparedness? A Cross-Sectional Territory-Wide Online Survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 August 2017

Rex P. K. Lam ,
Satchit Balsari ,
Kevin K. C. Hung ,
Kai-hsun Hsiao ,
L. P. Leung  and
Jennifer Leaning
Rex P. K. Lam*
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine Unit, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
Satchit Balsari
Affiliation:
Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts Global Emergency Medicine Division, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
Kevin K. C. Hung
Affiliation:
Accident and Emergency Medicine Academic Unit, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region, China.
Kai-hsun Hsiao
Affiliation:
Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
L. P. Leung
Affiliation:
Emergency Medicine Unit, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
Jennifer Leaning
Affiliation:
Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Rex Pui Kin Lam, Emergency Medicine Unit, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Room 512, 5/F, William MW Mong Block, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China (e-mail: lampkrex@hku.hk)
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objectives

To assess the level of all-hazards disaster preparedness and training needs of emergency department (ED) doctors and nurses in Hong Kong from their perspective, and identify factors associated with high perceived personal preparedness.

Design

This study was a cross-sectional territory-wide online survey conducted from 9 September to 26 October, 2015.

Participants

The participants were doctors from the Hong Kong College of Emergency Medicine and nurses from the Hong Kong College of Emergency Nursing.

Methods

We assessed various components of all-hazards preparedness using a 25-item questionnaire. Backward logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with perceived preparedness.

Results

A total of 107 responses were analyzed. Respondents lacked training in disaster management, emergency communication, psychological first aid, public health interventions, disaster law and ethics, media handling, and humanitarian response in an overseas setting. High perceived workplace preparedness, length of practice, and willingness to respond were associated with high perceived personal preparedness.

Conclusions

Given the current gaps in and needs for increased disaster preparedness training, ED doctors and nurses in Hong Kong may benefit from the development of core-competency-based training targeting the under-trained areas, measures to improve staff confidence in their workplaces, and efforts to remove barriers to staff willingness to respond. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018; 12: 329–336)

Keywords

disastersemergency preparednessphysiciansnursescross-sectional studies
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 12 , Issue 3 , June 2018 , pp. 329 - 336
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction 2015-2030. http://www.preventionweb.net/files/43291_sendaiframeworkfordrren.pdf. Published 2015. Accessed November 25, 2015.Google Scholar
2. Leaning, J, Guha-Sapir, D. Natural disasters, armed conflict, and public health. N Eng J Med. 2013;369(19):1836-1842.Google Scholar
3. Al-Shaqsi, S, Gauld, R, McBride, D, Al-Kashmiri, A, Al-Harthy, A. Self-reported preparedness of New Zealand acute care providers to mass emergencies before the Canterbury Earthquakes: a national survey. Emerg Med Austalas. 2015;27:55-61.Google Scholar
4. SteelFisher, GK, Blendon, RJ, Brulé, AS, et al. Physician emergency preparedness: a national poll of physicians. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2015;9(6):666-680.Google Scholar
5. Lim, GH, Lim, BL, Vasu, A. Survey of factors affecting health care workers’ perception towards institutional and individual disaster preparedness. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(4):353-358.Google Scholar
6. Arbon, P, Ranse, J, Cusack, L, et al. Australasian emergency nurses’ willingness to attend work in a disaster: a survey. Australas Emerg Nurs J. 2013;16(2):52-57.Google Scholar
7. Snipes, C, Miramonti, C, Chisholm, C, Chisholm, R. Reporting for duty during mass casualty events: a survey of factors influencing emergency medicine physicians.. J Grad Med Educ. 2013;5(3):417-426.Google Scholar
8. Dennis, AJ, Brandt, MM, Steinberg, J, et al. Are general surgeons behind the curve when it comes to disaster preparedness training? A survey of general surgery and emergency medicine trainees in the United States by the Eastern Association for the Surgery for Trauma Committee on Disaster Preparedness. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2012;73(3):612-617.Google Scholar
9. Jacobson, HE, Soto Mas, F, Hsu, CE, Turley, JP, Miller, J, Kim, M. Self-assessed emergency readiness and training needs of nurses in rural Texas. Public Health Nurs. 2010;27(1):41-48.Google Scholar
10. Veenema, TG, Walden, B, Feinstein, N, Williams, JP. Factors affecting hospital-based nurses’ willingness to respond to a radiation emergency. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2008;2(4):224-229.Google Scholar
11. Katz, AR, Nekorchuk, DM, Holck, PS, Hendrickson, LA, Imrie, AA, Effler, PV. Hawaii physician and nurse bioterrorism preparedness survey. Prehosp Disast Med. 2006;21(6):404-413.Google Scholar
12. Qureshi, K, Gershon, RR, Sherman, MF, et al. Health care worker’s ability and willingness to report to duty during catastrophic disasters. J Urban Health. 2005;82(3):378-388.Google Scholar
13. Alexander, GC, Wynia, MK. Ready and willing? Physicians’ sense of preparedness for bioterrorism. Health Aff (Millwood). 2003;22(5):189-197.Google Scholar
14. Chen, FM, Hickner, J, Fink, KS, Galliher, JM, Burstin, H. On the front lines: family physicians’ preparedness for bioterrorism. J Fam Pract. 2002;51(9):745-750.Google Scholar
15. The Economist Intelligence Unit. The safe cities index 2015: assessing urban security in the digital age; 2015. http://safecities.economist.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/EIU_Safe_Cities_Index_2015_white_paper-1.pdf. Accessed April 24, 2015.Google Scholar
16. Sundermann, L, Schelske, O, Hausmann, P. Mind the risk – a global ranking of cities under threat from natural disaster. Swiss Re; 2014. http://media.swissre.com/documents/Swiss_Re_Mind_the_risk.pdf. Accessed November 25, 2015.Google Scholar
17. Cameron, PA, Rainer, TH. SARS: a wake up call for a health care system under stress. Emerg Med (Fremantle). 2003;15(5-6):409-412.Google Scholar
18. The Department of Infection, Emergency and Contingency, Quality and Safety Division, Hospital Authority Head Office. Infection, Emergency and Contingency 2010-2012. Hong Kong: Hospital Authority; 2012.Google Scholar
19. Chan, JT, Yeung, RS, Tang, SY. Hospital preparedness for chemical and biological incidents in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Med J. 2002;8(6):440-446.Google Scholar
20. Hung, KKC, Lam, ECC, Wong, MCS, Wong, TW, Chan, EYY, Graham, CA. Emergency physicians’ preparedness for CBRNE incidents in Hong Kong. Hong Kong J Emerg Med. 2013;21:90-97.Google Scholar
21. Fung, OW, Loke, AY. Nurses’ willingness and readiness to report for duty in a disaster. J Emerg Manag. 2013;11(1):25-37.Google Scholar
22. Fung, OW, Loke, AY, Lai, CY. Disaster preparedness among Hong Kong nurses. J Adv Nurs. 2008;62(6):698-703.Google Scholar
23. Emergency Support Unit, Security Bureau, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Rescue Phase. In: HKSAR Emergency Response System. http://www.sb.gov.hk/eng/emergency/ers/ers.htm. Updated January 24, 2013. Accessed April 28, 2015.Google Scholar
24. United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR). 2009 UNISDR terminology on disaster risk reduction. Geneva: UNISDR; 2009.Google Scholar
25. Subbarao, I, Lyznicki, JM, Hsu, EB, et al. A competency-based educational framework and competency set for the discipline of disaster medicine and public health preparedness. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2008;2(1):57-68.Google Scholar
26. Schultz, CH, Koenig, KL, Whiteside, M, Murray, R, National Standardized All-Hazard Disaster Core Competencies Task Force. Development of national standardized all-hazard disaster core competencies for acute care physicians, nurses, and EMS professionals. Ann Emerg Med. 2012;59(3):196-208.Google Scholar
27. Hsu, EB, Thomas, TL, Bass, EB, Whyne, D, Kelen, GD, Green, GB. Health care worker competencies for disaster training. BMC Med Educ. 2006;6:19.Google Scholar
28. Markenson, D, DiMaggio, C, Redlener, I. Preparing health professions students for terrorism, disaster, and public health emergencies: core competences. Acad Med. 2005;80(6):517-526.Google Scholar
29. Chan, EYY, Hung, KKC, Yue, JSK, Kim, JH, Lee, PPY, Cheung, EYL. Preliminary findings on urban disaster risk literacy and preparedness in a Chinese community. Paper presented at 13th World Congress on Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 23-27 April 2012.Google Scholar
30. Wachinger, G, Renn, O, Begg, C, Kuhlicke, C. The risk perception paradox – implications for governance and communication of natural hazards. Risk Anal. 2013;33(6):1049-1065.Google Scholar
31. Fung, WM, Lai, KY, Loke, AY. Nurses’ perception of disaster: implications for disaster nursing curriculum. J Clin Nurs. 2009;18(22):3165-3171.Google Scholar
32. Tam, DK, Lee, S, Lee, SS. Impact of SARS on avian influenza preparedness in healthcare workers. Infection. 2007;35(5):320-325.Google Scholar
33. Hong Kong Observatory. Typhoon Hagupit (0814). Hong Kong: Hong Kong Observatory; 2009. http://www.hko.gov.hk/publica/tc/tc2008/pdf/section3_5.pdf. Accessed September 17, 2015.Google Scholar
34. Lai, TS, Yu, WC. The lessons of SARS in Hong Kong. Clin Med (Lond). 2010;10(1):50-53.Google Scholar
35. Burkle, FM Jr. The development of multidisciplinary core competencies: the first step in the professionalization of disaster medicine and public health preparedness on a global scale. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2012;6(1):10-12.Google Scholar
36. Bradt, D, Drummond, CM. Professionalization of disaster medicine – an appraisal of criterion-referenced qualifications. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2007;22(5):360-368.Google Scholar
37. Walsh, L, Subbarao, I, Gebbie, K, et al. Core competencies for disaster medicine and public health. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2012;6(1):44-52.Google Scholar
38. Masterson, L, Steffen, C, Brin, M, Kordick, MF, Christos, S. Willingness to respond: of emergency department personnel and their predicted participation in mass casualty terrorist events. J Emerg Med. 2009;36(1):43-49.Google Scholar
39. Qureshi, KA, Merrill, JA, Gershon, RR, Calero-Breckheimer, A. Emergency preparedness training for public health nurses: a pilot study. J Urban Health. 2002;79(3):413-416.Google Scholar
40. Grimes, DE, Mendias, EP. Nurses’ intentions to respond to bioterrorism and other infections disease emergencies. Nurs Outlook. 2010;58(1):10-16.Google Scholar
41. Ogedegbe, C, Nyirenda, T, Delmoro, G, Yamin, E, Feldman, J. Health care workers and disaster preparedness: barriers to and facilitators of willingness to respond. Int J Emerg Med. 2012;5(1):29.Google Scholar
42. Kaiser, HE, Barnett, DJ, Hsu, EB, Kirsch, TD, James, JJ, Subbarao, I. Perspectives of future physicians on disaster medicine and public health preparedness: challenges of building a capable and sustainable auxiliary medical workforce. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2009;3(4):210-216.Google Scholar
43. Keim, ME, Noji, E. Emergent use of social media: a new age of opportunity for disaster resilience. Am J Disaster Med. 2011;6(1):47-54.Google Scholar
44. Fraustino, JD, Liu, B, Jin, Y. Social media use during disasters: a review of the knowledge base and gaps. Final report to Human Factors/Behavioral Sciences Division, Science and Technology Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. College Park, MD: START; 2012.Google Scholar
45. Huang, CM, Chan, E, Hyder, AA. Web 2.0 and internet social networking: a new tool for disaster management? – lessons from Taiwan. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2010;10:57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1472-6947-10-57.Google Scholar
46. Simon, T, Adini, B, El-Hadid, M, Goldberg, A, Aharonson-Daniel, L. The race to save lives: demonstrating the use of social media for search and rescue operations. PLoS Curr Disas. 2014; 6(1):1-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/currents.dis.806848c38f18c6b7b0037fae3cd4edc5.Google Scholar
47. Kryvasheyeu, Y, Chen, H, Obradovich, N, et al.. Rapid assessment of disaster damage using social media activity. Sci Adv. 2016;2(3):e1500779. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1500779.Google Scholar
48. Alexander, DE. Social media in disaster risk reduction and crisis management. Sci Eng Ethics. 2014;20(3):717-733. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11948-013-9502-z.Google Scholar
49. Rubin, S, Bouri, N, Jolani, N, Minton, K. The adoption of social media and mobile health technologies for emergency preparedness by local health departments: a joint perspective from NACCHO and the UPMC center for health security. J Public Health Manag Pract. 2014;20(2):259-263.Google Scholar
50. Kaji, AH, Langford, V, Lewis, RJ. Assessing hospital disaster preparedness: a comparison of an on-site survey, directly observed drill performance, and video analysis of teamwork. Ann Emerg Med. 2008;52(3):195-201.Google Scholar