RWA scale of preparedness for healthcare personnel towards radiation emergency

Abstract

The article discussed the development of the 'Ready, Willing and Able' (RWA) Scale for the use of Malaysia healthcare personnel involved in radiation emergency focusing on medical response team only. Usually the members of medical emergency response team are doctors, medical assistances, nurses and hospital attendances. The scale is based on RWA framework by McCabe et al., with necessary modification to fit the local circumstances. It is to improve public health emergency preparedness system. The study is exploratory in nature as it investigates factors of each RWA construct. The scale is expected to reveal the level and profile of preparedness behaviour amongst personnel. The scale is insightful in offering guidance to healthcare providers on the development of possible educational and training programmes. These programmes are essential to motivate personnel in providing medical emergency response before the real radiation emergency strikes. Results of the study demonstrate eleven sub- constructs and multiple items of the RWA Scale. The study shall put forward some recommendation to ensure the validity of measurement scale.