Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

February 28, 2020

Trust is a key factor in the willingness of health professionals to work during the COVID‐19 outbreak: Experience from the H1N1 pandemic in Japan 2009

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  • A psychiatrist shares his experience working on the H1N1 pandemic in Japan to inform COVID-19 response efforts. He notes the stresses on healthcare providers, including physical exhaustion, anxiety about infection, and need for mental health support. 
  • A 2009 survey of 3,635 healthcare providers in Japan revealed that 28.4% felt motivated to work during the pandemic and 14.7% were very hesitant to work. Willingness to work was tied to feeling protected by national and local governments and by the hospital. Those most reluctant to work cited worries about infection, compensation, and feeling isolated. The author concludes that trust in organizations, frequent communication of information, and psychological support are key to employee willingness to work and staff retention.

Imai (Feb 27, 2020). Trust is a key factor in the willingness of health professionals to work during the COVID‐19 outbreak: Experience from the H1N1 pandemic in Japan 2009. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences. https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.12995