COVID-19: Attitudes of Health Care Professionals: A Multi-National Perspective

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed health care workers to unique challenges facing a previously unknown virulent disease. A balance was needed between personal health and fulfilling professional duties. Previous research identified barriers in the willingness and ability of health care professionals to work in a hypothetical pandemic scenario. Our aim was to identify if such barriers existed amongst a largely Asian health care work force in delivering their professional responsibilities at the initial phase of COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A GDPR compliant survey of 28 questions was designed using Microsoft forms. Social media (WhatsApp and Facebook messenger group) and professional emails were used to contact health care workers internationally. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS24. Results: 334 responded; 188 doctors (56·3%) and 90 nurses (26·9%). 236 participants lived in south Asia (70·7%) and 81 in Europe (24·3%). 215 out of 334 (64·4%) were Indians, 60 (18%) Bangladeshi and 41 (12·3%) Caucasian. A positive association between obesity (perceived) and fear of COVID-19 infection was found (OR 1·77 (95% CI 1·06, 2·98)). We didn't find any association between ages of the participants, country of residence, ethnicity or comorbidities with worry of being infected by COVID-19. Our respondents mostly remained satisfied with their profession. Only 37 out of 334 (11%) said they wished they were in a different profession. Conclusion: Contrary to predictive data, health care workers showed a more balanced approach in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic from the very early days of the 1 pandemic according to real time data. MRCPCH, Consultant Respiratory Paediatrician, Kings College Hospital, London