Emergency responder willingness to respond during disasters: A literature review

Abstract

Role abandonment among emergency responders has been considered a significant issue in disaster response (Barnett et al., 2010;

Perceived Disaster Preparedness and Willingness to Respond among Emergency Nurses in South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Although there were no statistically significant differences, the rates of concern for family (85.5%) and for self (30.8%) were consistent with those found in a previous study [ 6 ]. In previous studies, safety concerns for the family or self were presented as obstacles to WTR in disasters [ 8 , 16 , 30 ].…”

“…Willingness to respond (WTR) in a disaster means that healthcare workers respond to and approve a request to report to work in the event of a disaster [ 6 ]. In South Korea, institutions or staffs are required to work in the event of a disaster and approve such requests unless there are special reasons not to do so [ 7 ].…”

“…In the literature, the absenteeism of emergency responders during disasters is considered a critical issue that can lead to negative patient outcomes. The main reasons for role abandonment are the inability or unwillingness to report to work [ 6 ]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers experienced various difficulties such as heavy workloads, fear of infection, lifestyle changes, and psychological and physical struggles [ 8 , 9 ], and there were increasing concerns regarding hospital workforce shortages.…”

“…The WTR of healthcare workers depends on the type of disaster [ 6 ], family and personal disaster plans, and car responsibilities [ 16 ]. Published literature shows that healthcare workers are reluctant to respond to so-called “dirty” or technological disasters such as a bomb explosions, chemical attacks, bioterrorism, pandemics, and general disasters compared to natural, environmental, or weather-related disasters [ 6 ]. In addition, the most common barriers to WTR were care responsibilities such as caring for children or pets [ 16 ].…”

Enhancing a Willingness to Respond to Disasters and Public Health Emergencies Among Health Care Workers, Using mHealth Intervention: A Multidisciplinary Approach

“…3 A willingness to respond (WTR), which refers to the attitudinal dimension of health crisis management, in definitional and practical contrast with "ability," which comprises knowledge and skills, is an indispensable element of effective health system functioning in public health emergencies and disasters. [4][5][6] Health system surge capacity challenges focus mostly on "space" and "stuff," and there has been less attention paid to staff in the context of the HCWs and their willingness to report to work during disasters and public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. 7,8 WTR deficits among emergency department (ED)-based HCWs represent a critical stress-point for local, regional, and global health security.…”