Journal article
Experiences of personal protective equipment by Australian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020: A cross-sectional study
PloS one, Vol.17(6), pp.1-13
07/06/2022
PMID: 35671287
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to capture Australian frontline healthcare workers' (HCWs) experiences with personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This was a cross-sectional study using an online survey consisting of five domains: demographics; self-assessment of COVID risk; PPE access; PPE training and confidence; and anxiety. Participants were recruited from community and hospital healthcare settings in Australia, including doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, paramedics, and aged care and support staff. Data analysis was descriptive with free-text responses analysed using qualitative content analysis and multivariable analysis performed for predictors of confidence, bullying, staff furlough and anxiety. The 2258 respondents, comprised 80% women, 49% doctors and 40% nurses, based in hospital (39%) or community (57%) settings. Key findings indicated a lack of PPE training (20%), calls for fit testing, insufficient PPE (25%), reuse or extended use of PPE (47%); confusion about changing guidelines (48%) and workplace bullying over PPE (77%). An absence of in-person workplace PPE training was associated with lower confidence in using PPE (OR 0.21, 95%CI 0.12, 0.37) and a higher likelihood of workplace bullying (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.00, 2.03) perhaps reflecting deficiencies in workplace culture. Deficiencies in PPE availability, access and training linking to workplace bullying, can have negative physical and psychological impacts on a female dominant workforce critical to business as usual operations and pandemic response.
Details
- Title
- Experiences of personal protective equipment by Australian healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020: A cross-sectional study
- Creators
- Darshini Ayton - Monash UniversitySze-Ee Soh - Monash UniversityDanielle Berkovic - Monash UniversityCatriona Parker - Monash UniversityKathryn Yu - Alfred HealthDamian Honeyman - Sydney Local Health DistrictRameesh Manocha - HealthEd (Australia, Melbourne)Raina MacIntyre - University of New South Wales (Australia, Sydney)Michelle Ananda-Rajah - Alfred Health
- Publication Details
- PloS one, Vol.17(6), pp.1-13
- Publisher
- Public Library Science
- Number of pages
- 13
- Identifiers
- 991013376450902368
- Copyright
- © 2022 Ayton et al.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article