Echoes of history: Understanding healthcare professionals’ response to COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Due to the significant number of casualties among both patients and healthcare providers (HCPs), the COVID-19 pandemic put an enormous strain on healthcare systems around the world. Healthcare providers played a crucial role in the prevention, management, and containment of the pandemic due to their proximity to the outbreak. This study explored COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among HCPs. A descriptive cross-sectional design was utilized with an online survey. The target group in Abu Dhabi included three types of HCPs: physicians, nurses, and paramedics. The study questionnaire was completed by 290 individuals in total. Participants exhibited high levels of attitudes (M=6.8, SD=1.02), practices (M=5.7, SD=0.80), and knowledge (M=13.9, SD=1.76). Based on the demographics of the participants, many significant differences in all study variables were found. In conclusion, participants showed a high level of awareness, favorable attitudes, and strong infection control measures regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. To maintain the continuation of the appropriate knowledge, attitudes, and practices surrounding COVID-19 that may be used in potential future COVID or other infection outbreaks, a continuous training and evaluation program should be implemented.