Assessing Healthcare Providers' Preparedness for Managing COVID-19 Patients: A Mixed-methods Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Management
• Healthcare Professional Training

Background:

• Healthcare provider preparedness is critical for managing global health crises.
• Effective containment strategies and training are essential for mitigating viral transmission.
• This study assesses healthcare provider readiness for COVID-19 in Oman.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of training on healthcare providers' (HCPs) readiness to manage COVID-19 patients.
• To identify factors influencing HCPs' confidence and stress levels during the pandemic.
• To inform the development of targeted training programs for infectious disease outbreaks.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Oman.
• Electronic surveys collected data on HCP demographics, knowledge, and training.
• Descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, and thematic analysis were employed.

Main Results:

• 241 HCPs responded; 67.6% were female nurses, 49.8% aged 31-40.
• Gender and profession significantly impacted awareness and knowledge scores (p < 0.05).
• Stress and fear affected nearly half of HCPs; confidence was linked to national pandemic plans (61.0%).

Conclusions:

• HCPs understood hospital protocols but lacked preparedness for highly contagious diseases.
• Insufficient training led to decreased confidence and increased stress.
• Continuous, comprehensive, hands-on training is vital for enhancing HCP resilience and confidence in future outbreaks.