This study examined the association between willingness-to-respond (WTR) and behavioral factors among emergency department health care workers (HCWs) during a pandemic situation in Pakistan.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted between August and September 2022, involving health care workers from 2 hospitals located in Karachi, Pakistan. Participants were recruited using a non-probability purposive sampling method. The survey instrument was designed based on Witte’s Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the relationship between WTR and HCWs’ attitudes, beliefs, and EPPM profiles.

Health workers’ overall willingness to respond was 52.57% if required and 52.26% if asked. Female health workers showed 1.78 greater odds of WTR if required, compared to male health workers. Health workers who reported high efficacy were 21 times more likely to report to work during pandemics when required and 6 times more likely to report if asked compared to those with low efficacy.

This study explored health care workers’ willingness to respond during a pandemic. Female health care workers and those in clinical roles were more likely to be willing to respond during an influenza pandemic. Enhancing self-efficacy, knowledge, and addressing perceived risks can significantly improve workforce preparedness for future pandemics.

Physician mental health is critical during the recovery of natural and human-made disasters (NHDs), yet the accessibility of mental health resources to physicians has not been characterized. This study examined emergency medicine and trauma physician knowledge of and access to mental health resources in NHD settings.

The survey was electronically disseminated to the American College of Emergency Physicians and the American Association of the Surgery of Trauma between February 4, 2020, and March 9, 2020. The 17-question survey assessed physician awareness and access to emergency preparedness resources at their institutions.

Of the responders, 86% (n = 229) were aware of written emergency response plans for their facility. While 31% were aware of the hospital’s mental health policies and resources outside of the emergency response plan, only 25% knew how to access these resources during and after NHDs. Finally, 10% reported the incorporation of mental health resources during institutional practice drills.

Physicians reported knowledge of emergency preparedness policies; however, significant gaps remain in physician knowledge and access to mental health resources NHD settings. As NHDs increase on a global scale, it is critical for health systems to ensure accessible infrastructure to support the mental well-being of health professionals.

Converging evidence substantiates a negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of frontline workers. Nonetheless, there is paucity of research on paramedics.

To estimate the prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression in frontline paramedics in the Athens region, Greece, and to investigate the coping skills that are associated with less favourable mental health outcomes

A total of 100 ambulance paramedics participated in the study. The online questionnaire encompassed the DASS-21 for assessing mental health outcomes and the Brief-COPE for measuring coping skills. Information about socio-demographic characteristics and personal/relatives’ vulnerability to COVID-19 was also gleaned.

The prevalence for moderate to severe cases was found to be 7.2% for stress, 9.4% for anxiety and 11.3% for depression. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that men demonstrated significantly higher stress [B = -2.28, 95%CI = -3.88 - -0.68] and depression compared to women [B = -1.69, 95%CI = -3.19 - -0.19]. Similarly, the use of denial was found to be associated with higher stress [B = 0.69, 95%CI = 0.11 -1.37] and anxiety [B= 0.55, 95%CI = 0.13 – 0.98]. Moreover, emotional support was linked to heightened anxiety [B= 0.71, 95%CI = 0.36 – 1.06] and self-distraction to depression [B = 0.60, 95%CI = 0.16 – 1.04]. Personal or relatives’ vulnerability to COVID-19 did not impinge on mental health outcomes.

Healthcare initiatives should be tailored at the mental health needs of frontline paramedics, especially men. Psychosocial interventions should target maladaptive coping, especially the use of denial.

The study explores the challenges and threats young doctors in Pakistan working frontline toward the pandemic face, and how it translates into their personal and social lives.

Thirteen resident doctors working frontline with COVID-19 cases were approached and interviewed in-depth until the point of data saturation. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used as a method for analysis.

Four themes emerged in the analysis: pandemic anxiety, organizational lack of readiness for change, impact on interpersonal relationships, and commitment to service. Young doctors experienced psychological distress, and emotional vulnerability due to the challenges and concerns faced by them in the wake of COVID-19. Shortage and excessive reuse of personal protective equipment, direct exposure to the disease, concern for personal safety, fear and apprehension of being a probable disease carrier for families, physical distancing from loved ones, long working hours, and increased organizational responsibility altered the quality of life for doctors working frontline toward pandemic in COVID wards. Doctors who received appreciation and support by families reported improved filial bonds.

The adverse effect on psychological health, personal and social life, and increased professional demands have been some of the major challenges and threats faced by young doctors working frontline toward the pandemic. However, unconditional love and support from family and community has proven to reduce pandemic anxiety among doctors. Furthermore, the sense of compassion and the satisfaction in service to community has kept doctors devoted to fight against pandemic 2020.