Worker perceptions of disaster risk management in Saudi Arabian hospitals

Alshehri, S., Dawson, I. and Katsikopoulos, K.V. (2024) Worker perceptions of disaster risk management in Saudi Arabian hospitals. 32nd Annual Conference: Risk in Time & Space, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece. 02 - 05 Jun 2024.

Abstract

In the wake of global health crises, effective Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in healthcare has become more crucial than ever to ensure the continuity of medical services during disasters. In this context, the role of Healthcare Workers (HCWs), including doctors, nurses, and administrators, is pivotal across all DRM phases: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Their experiences and knowledge can provide meaningful insights into the effectiveness of current practices and identify the pathway for future improvements.We conducted two studies that assessed HCWs' perceptions regarding the effectiveness of DRM in Saudi Arabian public hospitals. The first study identified that perceptions of DRM efficacy varied among HCWs, with approximately 42% perceiving it as ineffective. Perceptions significantly differed across DRM phases: 36.5% found it ineffective in mitigation, 45.6% in preparedness, 40.2% in response, and 45.5% in recovery. Notably, there were significant regional variations, with the Central region perceived as the most effective, the Eastern and Western regions, and the Southern region as the least effective. These findings highlighted the need for a deeper understanding of the reasons behind these variations.To build upon the insights gained from our first study, we aimed to identify the factors that might influence HCWs' perceptions of DRM. According to the literature, a positive organisational culture with strong leadership, transparent communication, and efficient information flow might enhance HCWs' disaster response effectiveness. Moreover, HCWs' previous disaster experiences and comprehensive training can improve their preparedness and response capabilities. However, concerns over personal safety and mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, can negatively impact their participation in DRM. Furthermore, geographical and environmental contexts can be crucial, especially for hospitals in disaster-prone or conflict-affected areas.Despite these insights from the literature, a significant research gap remains in understanding how these factors might influence HCWs' perceptions across the four DRM phases in Saudi Arabia's diverse regional contexts. Our second study addresses this gap by exploring these influencing factors through 24 in-depth semi-structured interviews across four public hospitals in the Eastern, Western, Southern, and Central regions of Saudi Arabia. The results of this study will be used to strengthen HCWs' resilience and guide policy formulation so that resource distribution can be optimised and a culture of preparedness tailored to Saudi Arabia's unique healthcare landscape can be developed. Hence, our findings can be crucial in ensuring that Saudi Arabia's hospital DRM strategies are comprehensive, multifaceted, and region-specific.

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Contributors

Author: I. Dawson

Author: K.V. Katsikopoulos

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