AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CORRELATION OF NURSES’ EMERGENCY PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE CAPACITY AND WORKPLACE RESILIENCE AMONG NURSES IN OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. Background of the study

The global population's health faces substantial obstacles in the event of public health emergency. The outbreak of a severe infectious disease, which is distinguished by quick disease development and extended duration, is one of these crises that presents enormous challenges for medical interventions and care [Kang, Jing, Liu & Liu, 2019]. In the fight against viruses and in advancing human health, healthcare professionals have been crucial [Skoglund, Åhlman, Mallin & Holmgren, 2024]. But the enduring character of epidemics has brought attention to the conflict between the growing patient population and the scarcity of medical professionals, as seen in the case of the Ebola and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreaks [Shaw, Flott, Fontana, Durkin & Darzi, 2020]. To solve this issue, Nigeria has successfully created a national medical staff support strategy that includes military medical professionals. On the other hand, the high number of infections among medical personnel puts additional psychological strain on nurses and increases the difficulty of their task. The viruses that cause respiratory tract infections have undergone several modifications throughout the course of the two-year outbreak. Furthermore, the number of outpatient and emergency patients rises sharply during the winter due to a considerable increase in the prevalence of respiratory tract infections [Dzau & Yadav, 2023]. Working on the front lines, nursing staff members take a risk of infection while addressing respiratory tract infectious illness episodes. Thus, in order to successfully educate nurses to respond to present and future epidemics of respiratory and other infectious diseases, it is vital to understand the ability of military healthcare staff to respond to large public health events. Because of previous public health catastrophes, such epidemics, nurses have acquired expertise in emergency response and developed specific skills. High levels of stress, however, might cause nursing staff members to become weary and burned out, which will impede the development of their emergency response skills for public health. In addition, management find it difficult to hold on to qualified nursing personnel because of the strain these events cause. The pandemic made the already severe problems of high nurse turnover and burnout much worse. These problems have a substantial negative impact on hospital financial management and patient care quality. Because they are on the front lines of responding to infectious diseases, nurses frequently endure the highest levels of work-related stress and suffering when compared to other healthcare professionals. This may result in medical and psychological issues if prompt treatment is not received [Kambhampati et al, 2020]. Therefore, healthcare leadership now has an urgent duty to discover acceptable measures to improve the well-being of nurses. Resilience is seen as a protective feature that enables nurses to effectively manage work-related stress and get favourable results. Resilient nurses have shown reduced fatigue and improved adversity adaptation [Kambhampati et al, 2020]. Nonetheless, the majority of conventional resilience research has concentrated on an individual's psychological traits and given no consideration to nurses' adaptive strategies in the face of adversity at work. Workplace resilience may be viewed as a dynamic process including emotional, cognitive, behavioural, and environmental self-regulation processes in addition to personal, interpersonal, and environmental elements. By helping the body adjust to unfavourable situations, these mechanisms preserve health and function [Delgado, Roche, Fethney & Foster, 2020]. The early phases of the pandemic revealed that one of the main sources of stress for nurses was their place of employment, indicating that improving resilience and putting workplace interventions into place can improve outcomes. It has also been demonstrated that workplace interventions are cost-effective. Managers find that concentrating on workplace resilience is more focused and that workplace-based resilience management techniques may be more cost-effective, all while improving the organisation's capacity to handle public health emergencies. Therefore, the researcher aims to investigate the correlation of nurses’ emergency public health response capacity and workplace resilience among nurses in Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital.

1. 1. Statement of the problem

Global healthcare systems are under unprecedented strain due to the growing frequency and complexity of public health catastrophes including pandemics, natural disasters, and bioterrorism. As primary healthcare professionals, nurses are frequently at the front of emergency response operations. However, a number of factors, such as their degree of readiness and resilience at work, affect their ability to respond to these catastrophes successfully (Smith et al., 2020). According to Jones and Clark (2021) inadequate reaction capacity can result in worse than ideal patient outcomes, higher levels of stress for healthcare professionals, and pressure on healthcare systems. Workplace resilience, or nurses' capacity for adaptation and maintenance their ability to function during emergencies is a key factor in determining their emergency response capability (Brown & McKay, 2019). Various factors, including professional training, resource accessibility, and organisational support, might impact a nurse's capacity to manage public health emergencies. Despite its significance, there is a dearth of empirical research, particularly in low-resource contexts, examining the relationship between nurses' resilience at work and their emergency public health response capability (Davis & Lee, 2022). Closing this gap is essential to enhancing the readiness of healthcare systems and guaranteeing better patient care in times of emergency. Hence, the need to investigate the correlation of nurses’ emergency public health response capacity and workplace resilience among nurses in Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital.

1.3 Objective of the study

The broad objective of the study is to investigate the correlation of nurses’ emergency public health response capacity and workplace resilience among nurses in Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital. The specific objectives is as follows

1. To assess the level of emergency public health response capacity among nurses in Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital.

2. To identify the impact of workplace resilience on nurses' ability to manage public health crises in Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital.

3. To assess the correlation between nurses' emotional resilience and their performance during public health emergencies in Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital.

4. To recommend strategies aimed at enhancing workplace resilience and emergency public health response capacity among nurses in Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital.

1.4 Research questions

The following questions have been prepared to guide the study

1. What is the level of emergency public health response capacity among nurses in Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital?

2. What is the impact of workplace resilience on nurses' ability to manage public health crises in Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital?

3. Is there a correlation between nurses' emotional resilience and their performance during public health emergencies in Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital?

4. What are the recommended strategies aimed at enhancing workplace resilience and emergency public health response capacity among nurses in Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital?

1.5 Significance of the study

Findings of the study is significant as it can inform policymakers and healthcare administrators on the importance of investing in resilience-building programs and emergency preparedness training for nurses. This would contribute to more effective and coordinated responses to future public health crises. Findings of the study will also be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature, add to library resources and serve as a guide to future academic researchers.

1.6 Scope of the study

The study focus on investigate the correlation of nurses’ emergency public health response capacity and workplace resilience among nurses in Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital. Empirically, the study will assess the level of emergency public health response capacity among nurses in Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital, identify the impact of workplace resilience on nurses' ability to manage public health crises in Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital, assess the correlation between nurses' emotional resilience and their performance during public health emergencies in Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital and recommend strategies aimed at enhancing workplace resilience and emergency public health response capacity among nurses in Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to nurses in Obafemi Awolowo University teaching hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

1.7 Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint are:

Time: The researcher encountered time constraint as the researcher had to carry out this research along side other academic activities such as attending lectures and other educational activities required of her.

Finance: The researcher incurred more financial expenses in carrying out this study such as typesetting, printing, sourcing for relevant materials, literature, or information and in the data collection process.

Availability of Materials: The researcher encountered challenges in sourcing for literature in this study. The scarcity of literature on the subject due to the nature of the discourse was a limitation to this study.

1.8 Definition of terms

Emergency Public Health Response Capacity: This refers to the ability of nurses to effectively manage and respond to public health emergencies such as disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other crises. It involves their preparedness, knowledge, and skills required to provide timely and efficient healthcare services during emergencies.

Workplace Resilience: Workplace resilience is the ability of nurses and healthcare workers to adapt, recover, and continue to function effectively under stressful and crisis conditions. It includes coping mechanisms, emotional stability, and the capacity to overcome workplace challenges.

Organizational Support: This term refers to the resources, policies, and support systems provided by healthcare organizations to enhance the performance and well-being of their staff. Organizational support can include access to training, equipment, mental health support, and a positive work environment.

Resource Availability: Resource availability refers to the accessibility and sufficiency of tools, equipment, medical supplies, and personnel that nurses need to effectively respond to public health emergencies.

Professional Training: This is the education, simulations, drills, and certifications provided to nurses to prepare them for public health emergencies. Professional training enhances their capacity to handle high-pressure situations.

Stress Management Programs: Programs and interventions designed to help nurses cope with workplace stress, especially during emergencies. These may include counseling, relaxation techniques, or workshops aimed at enhancing mental health and emotional resilience.

Emotional Resilience: Emotional resilience refers to the ability of nurses to regulate their emotions, maintain a positive outlook, and recover from emotional stress during or after a crisis situation.

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