Engaged, overextended, or burned out: What is the state of the disaster response workforce?

The prolonged coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and co-occurring disasters during 2020 took a toll on everyone, taxing public health and disaster management personnel particularly. This initial study evaluated levels of exhaustion, cynicism, and professional efficacy among a broad array of the disaster workforce responding to these events through an online survey. Responses were compared to normative standards from an international dataset using a one-sample t-test and described using k-means cluster analysis. Results from 111 emergency management and disaster services, public health, healthcare, first responders, and other professionals and volunteers indicated high levels of emotional exhaustion and cynicism, along with high levels of personal efficacy compared to normative samples. Perceptions of the heightened risk of contracting COVID-19 were significantly associated with increased emotional exhaustion and cynicism. Cluster analysis results indicated three different patterns of burnout: half of the respondents were overextended (high levels of emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and efficacy) or burned out (high emotional exhaustion and cynicism, low efficacy), while 50 percent were engaged (low emotional exhaustion, low cynicism, and high personal efficacy). This suggests that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, a substantial proportion of the disaster response workforce is still thriving. However, a large proportion is burned out or at high risk (overextended). Limitations of this study include a lack of diversity in the sample, which, although similar to the demographic characteristics of the emergency manager population, may limit the generalizability of the study results. System-level planners can use this information to develop comprehensive workforce approaches, policies, and procedures to prevent burnout for these essential personnel working behind the scenes.

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The New Zealand podiatry profession – a workforce in crisis?

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research ◽

10.1186/s13047-020-00430-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Matthew Carroll ◽

Hannah Jepson ◽

Prue Molyneux ◽

Angela Brenton-Rule

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

New Zealand ◽

Private Practice ◽

Sports Medicine ◽

Online Survey ◽

Health Sector ◽

New Graduates ◽

The North ◽

New Graduate ◽

Survey Responses

Abstract Background This is the first study to explore workforce data from the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand. The study analysed data from an online survey which New Zealand podiatrists complete as part of their application for an Annual Practising Certificate. Methods Survey responses between 2015 and 2019 were analysed. Data was related to work setting, employment status, work hours, location, professional affiliations, and number of graduates entering practice. Survey data was downloaded by a second party who provide data security for the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand workforce data. All data supplied for analysis were deidentified and could not be re-linked to an individual practitioner. Results In 2019 there were 430 podiatrists who held an Annual Practising Certificate. Eighty percent of podiatrists who work in New Zealand are in private practice, with 8% employed in the public health sector. Podiatrist’s work is a mix of general podiatry, diabetes care and sports medicine. The majority are self-employed (40%) or business owners (19%). Approximately 40% work between 31 to 40 h per week and 46 to 50 weeks per year. The majority are female (67%) with most practising in the North Island (69%) and located in the Auckland region (33%). On average 76% of new graduates were issued an Annual Practising Certificate between 2015 and 2019. Conclusion The New Zealand podiatry profession is small and growing at a slow rate, consequently there is evidence of a workforce shortage. To maintain a per-capita ratio of podiatrists approximate to Australia and the United Kingdom an additional 578 podiatrists are required in the New Zealand workforce. There are not enough new graduate practitioners entering the workforce and once practising, the majority enter private practice in the face of limited public health employment opportunities.

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Historical Context and Current Status of the Intersection of Physical Activity and Public Health: Results of the 2015 American Kinesiology Association’s Opportunities for Kinesiology Survey

Kinesiology Review ◽

10.1123/kr.2015-0033 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 329-345 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Bradley J. Cardinal ◽

Minsoo Kang ◽

James L. Farnsworth ◽

Gregory J. Welk

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Online Survey ◽

Overall Response Rate ◽

Historical Context ◽

Community Outreach ◽

Current Status ◽

Survey Results ◽

Survey Responses ◽

Program Options

Kinesiology leaders were surveyed regarding their views of the (re)emergence of physical activity and public health. Their views were captured via a 25-item, online survey conducted in 2014. The survey focused on four areas: (a) types of affiliation with public health; (b) program options and course coverage; (c) outreach programming; and (d) perspectives on integration. Member and nonmember institutions of the American Kinesiology Association received the survey. Responses were received from 139 institutional leaders, resulting in an overall response rate of 21.4%. Key findings included that the combination of physical activity and public health was seen as both a stand-alone subdisciplinary area within kinesiology and also an area that has a great deal of potential for collaboration, the acquisition of external funding, and further strengthening of community outreach and engagement. The survey results are placed in historical context and interpreted with various caveats and limitations in mind.

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Burnout and Peritraumatic Distress of Healthcare Workers in the COVID-19 Pandemic

10.21203/rs.3.rs-135151/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yeonhhon Jang ◽

Myoungsoon You ◽

Heeyoung Lee ◽

Minjung lee ◽

Yeji Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Mental Health ◽

Emotional Exhaustion ◽

Organizational Support ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Current Status ◽

Full Time ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Peritraumatic Distress

Abstract Background To evaluate the current status of emotional exhaustion and peritraumatic distress of healthcare workers (HCWs) in the COVID-19 pandemic, and identify factors associated with their mental health status. Methods An online survey involving 1,068 HCWs that included nurses, physicians, and public health officers was conducted. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analyses were performed on the collected data. Results Although no significant difference in peritraumatic distress was observed among the surveyed HCWs, the workers’ experience of emotional exhaustion varied according to work characteristics. Respondents who were female, older, living with a spouse, and/or full-time workers reported higher levels of emotional exhaustion. Public health officers and other medical personnel who did not have direct contact with confirmed patients and full-time workers had a higher level of peritraumatic distress. Forced involvement in work related to COVID-19, worry about stigma, worry about becoming infected, and perceived sufficiency of organizational support negatively predict emotional exhaustion and peritraumatic distress. Conclusions Job-related and emotional stress of HCWs should not be neglected. Evidence-based interventions and supports are required to protect HCWs from mental illness and to promote mental health of those involved in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Monitoring the Health of Public Health Responders: Development and Use of the Responder Safety, Tracking, and Resilience System (R-STaR) for Hurricane Matthew

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2018.102 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 74-81 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alezandria K. Turner ◽

Laura Edison ◽

Karl Soetebier ◽

Wendy Smith ◽

Cherie Drenzek

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

South Carolina ◽

Disaster Response ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Mobile Platforms ◽

Web Based ◽

Response Planning ◽

Survey Responses

ABSTRACTOn October 7, 2016, Hurricane Matthew traveled along the coasts of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina causing flooding and power outages. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) developed the Web-based Responder Safety, Tracking, and Resilience (R-STaR) system to monitor the health and safety of public health responders and to inform disaster response planning for Hurricane Matthew. Using R-STaR, responders (n = 126) were e-mailed a daily survey while deployed to document injuries or harmful exposures and a post-deployment survey on their post-deployment health and satisfaction with using R-STaR. DPH epidemiologists contacted responders reporting injuries or exposures to determine the need for medical care. Frequencies were tabulated for quantitative survey responses, and qualitative data were summarized into key themes. Five percent (6/126) of responders reported injuries, and 81% (43/53) found R-STaR easy to use. Suggestions for R-STaR improvement included improving accessibility using mobile platforms and conducting pre-event training of responders on R-STaR. Lessons learned from R-STaR development and evaluation can inform the development and improvement of responder health surveillance systems at other local and state health departments and disaster and emergency response agencies. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:74–81).

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Personal digital archiving: influencing factors and challenges to practices

Library Hi Tech ◽

10.1108/lht-09-2016-0103 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (2) ◽

pp. 222-239 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Donghee Sinn ◽

Sujin Kim ◽

Sue Yeon Syn

Keyword(s):

Influencing Factors ◽

Online Survey ◽

Personal Factors ◽

Internet Service ◽

Digital Archiving ◽

Content Type ◽

Study Results ◽

Information Professionals ◽

Survey Responses ◽

Amazon's Mechanical Turk

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the associations of personal archiving behaviors to factors and challenges that have been assumed to affect personal digital archiving strategies. Design/methodology/approach This study created an online survey to understand general patterns of personal digital archiving practices and related phenomena. The survey was employed to investigate to what extent people show a certain behavior or feel certain factors and challenge when archiving personal digital content. Findings Some of the findings of this study regarding specific personal digital archiving practices were in accordance with existing studies. However, the associations between digital archiving challenges and archiving practices were not observed statistically significantly as assumed in previous studies. General technology efficacy and the awareness of the importance of personal records appeared to influence personal archiving practices. Research limitations/implications This study used Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. As this is not a commonly used internet service, the workers here could have higher than average levels of internet efficacy. This possibility may have affected the demographics, and the survey responses may be biased in this respect. Practical implications As the study results suggest that technology efficacy and personal heritage awareness are the influencing factors of personal digital archiving, these are the areas where information professionals can involve in assisting users for future cultural heritage. Originality/value This is the first study that develops measures for personal digital archiving related practices and perceptions that the previous qualitative studies have identified. With these measures, it examines the general status of individuals’ archiving strategies and the overall associations of digital archiving challenges as well as looking into other technological and personal factors.

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The New Zealand Podiatry profession – a workforce in crisis?

10.21203/rs.3.rs-53254/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Matthew Carroll ◽

Hannah Jepson ◽

Prue Molyneux ◽

Angela Brenton-Rule

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

New Zealand ◽

Private Practice ◽

Sports Medicine ◽

Online Survey ◽

Health Sector ◽

New Graduates ◽

The North ◽

New Graduate ◽

Survey Responses

Abstract Background This is the first study to explore workforce data from the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand. The study analysed data from an online survey which New Zealand podiatrists complete as part of their application for an Annual Practising Certificate.Methods Survey responses between 2015 and 2019 were analysed. Data was related to work setting, employment status, work hours, location, professional affiliations, and number of graduates entering practice. Survey data was downloaded by a second party who provide data security for the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand workforce data. All data supplied for analysis were deidentified and could not be re-linked to an individual practitioner.Results In 2019 there were 430 podiatrists who held an Annual Practising Certificate. Eighty percent of podiatrists who work in New Zealand are in private practice, with 8% employed in the public health sector. Podiatrist’s work is a mix of general podiatry, diabetes care and sports medicine. The majority are self-employed (40%) or business owners (19%). Approximately 40% work between 31 to 40 hours per week and 46 to 50 weeks per year. The majority are female (67%) with most practising in the North Island (69%) and located in the Auckland region (33%). On average 76% of new graduates were issued an Annual Practising Certificate between 2015 and 2019.Conclusion The New Zealand podiatry profession is small and growing at a slow rate, consequently there is evidence of a workforce shortage. To maintain a per-capita ratio of podiatrists approximate to Australia and the United Kingdom an additional 578 podiatrists are required in the New Zealand workforce. There are not enough new graduate practitioners entering the workforce and once practising, the majority enter private practice in the face of limited public health employment opportunities.

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Experiences of Environmental Public Health Professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic response in Canada

Environmental Health Review ◽

10.5864/d2020-017 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (3) ◽

pp. 70-76

Author(s):

Fatih Sekercioglu ◽

Ian Young ◽

Richard Meldrum ◽

Jennifer Ramos

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Lived Experiences ◽

Online Survey ◽

Local Level ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Environmental Public Health ◽

Public Health Professionals ◽

Study Results ◽

Pandemic Response

Environmental Public Health Professionals (EPHPs) have been playing a significant role in the COVID-19 pandemic response. This study examines the lived experiences of EPHPs during the COVID-19 pandemic and explores short- and long long-term strategies to address the challenges of EPHPs. A mixed-method, cross-sectional online survey was conducted in May 2020. The participants were the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors certified EPHPs who currently work in Canada during the pandemic. The study results reveal that EPHPs have been heavily involved in the COVID-19 pandemic response by assuming different roles and tasks in many cases. The study highlights the vast array of EPHPs functions such as education and enforcement. Lack of employer support for training and access to safety equipment are among the significant outcomes. Mechanisms should be developed to ensure that mental health support is accessible for EPHPs to overcome the pandemic work’s challenges. As this is the first study to examine the lived experiences of EPHPs during the COVID-19 pandemic, further in-depth qualitative research should be conducted to examine the experiences of EPHPs at the local level.

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Local Government Stakeholder Perceptions of Legitimacy and Conflict of Interest: The Alcohol Industry and the "Drink Free Days" Campaign in England

International Journal of Health Policy and Management ◽

10.34172/ijhpm.2021.59 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Helen Walls ◽

Benjamin Hawkins ◽

Anna Durrance-Bagale

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Local Authority ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Alcohol Policy ◽

Free Text ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Alcohol Education ◽

Alcohol Industry ◽

Survey Responses

Background: Industry involvement in alcohol policy is highly contentious. The Drink Free Days (DFD) campaign (2018- 2019) run by Public Health England (PHE), an executive agency of government, and Drinkaware, an industry-funded ‘alcohol education charity’ to encourage middle-aged drinkers to abstain from drinking on some days was criticised for perceived industry involvement. We examine the extent to which the DFD campaign was supported by local-authority Directors of Public Health (DPHs) in England – which have a statutory remit for promoting population health within their locality – and their reasons for this. Methods: Our mixed-methods approach included a stakeholder mapping, online survey, and semi-structured interviews. The stakeholder mapping provided the basis for sampling survey and interview respondents. In total, 25 respondents completed the survey, and we conducted 21 interviews with DPHs and their local authority (LA) representatives. We examined survey responses, and coded free-text survey and interview responses to identify key themes. Results: While some respondents supported the DFD campaign, others did not promote it, or actively opposed it, due mainly to concerns about conflicts of interest and the legitimacy of industry involvement in the campaign. These were considered to undermine PHE’s independence and deflect attention from more important, evidence-based policy interventions such as alcohol pricing while conferring vicarious credibility on Drinkaware. We also found low levels of knowledge about alcohol-related harm, the effectiveness of different policies to address these and the policy-influencing strategies used by the alcohol industry. Conclusion: The findings highlight the dangers of industry partnership and potential conflicts of interest for government agencies and the ineffectiveness of the campaigns they run at local and national levels. They demonstrate the need for caution in engaging with industry-associated bodies at all levels of government and are thus of potential relevance to studies of other health-harming industries and policy contexts.

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Can Auxiliary Indicators Improve COVID-19 Forecasting and Hotspot Prediction?

10.1101/2021.06.22.21259346 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Daniel J McDonald ◽

Jacob Bien ◽

Alden Green ◽

Addison J Hu ◽

Nat DeFries ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Online Survey ◽

Web Search ◽

Predictive Accuracy ◽

Probabilistic Forecasting ◽

Public Health Decision ◽

Public Health Reporting ◽

Health Decision ◽

Insurance Claims Data ◽

Survey Responses

Reliable, short-term forecasts of traditional public health reporting streams (such as cases, hospitalizations, and deaths) are a key ingredient in effective public health decision-making during a pandemic. Since April 2020, our research group has worked with data partners to collect, curate, and make publicly available numerous real-time COVID-19 indicators, providing multiple views of pandemic activity. This paper studies the utility of these indicators from a forecasting perspective. We focus on five indicators, derived from medical insurance claims data, web search queries, and online survey responses. For each indicator, we ask whether its inclusion in a simple model leads to improved predictive accuracy relative to a similar model excluding it. We consider both probabilistic forecasting of confirmed COVID-19 case rates and binary prediction of case "hotspots". Since the values of indicators (and case rates) are commonly revised over time, we take special care to ensure that the data provided to a forecaster is the version that would have been available at the time the forecast was made. Our analysis shows that consistent but modest gains in predictive accuracy are obtained by using these indicators, and furthermore, these gains are related to periods in which the auxiliary indicators behave as "leading indicators" of case rates.

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The New Zealand Podiatry Profession – A Workforce in Crisis?

10.21203/rs.3.rs-53254/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Matthew Carroll ◽

Hannah Jepson ◽

Prue Molyneux ◽

Angela Brenton-Rule

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

New Zealand ◽

Private Practice ◽

Sports Medicine ◽

Online Survey ◽

Health Sector ◽

New Graduates ◽

The North ◽

New Graduate ◽

Survey Responses

Abstract BackgroundThis is the first study to explore workforce data from the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand. The study analysed data from an online survey, New Zealand podiatrists complete as part of their application for an Annual Practising Certificate.MethodsSurvey responses between 2015 and 2019 were analysed. Data was related to work setting, employment status, work hours, location, professional affiliations, and number of graduates entering practice. Survey data was downloaded by a second party who provide data security for the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand workforce data. All data supplied for analysis was deidentified and could not be re-linked to an individual practitioner.ResultsIn 2019 there were 430 podiatrists who held an Annual Practising Certificate. Eighty percent of New Zealand podiatrists work in private practice with 8% employed in the public health sector. Podiatrist’s work is a mix of general podiatry, diabetes care and sports medicine. The majority are self-employed (40%) or business owners (19%). Approximately 40% work between 31 to 40 hours per week and 46 to 50 weeks per year. The majority are female (67%) with most practising in the North Island (69%) and located in the Auckland region (33%). On average 76% of new graduates were issued an Annual Practising Certificate between 2015 and 2019.ConclusionThe New Zealand podiatry profession is small and growing at a slow rate, consequently there is evidence of a workforce shortage. To maintain a per-capita ratio of podiatrists approximate to Australia and the United Kingdom an additional 578 podiatrists are required in the New Zealand workforce. There are not enough new graduate practitioners entering the workforce and once practising, the majority enter private practice in the face of limited public health employment opportunities.

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