Barriers to preparedness amongst emergency medical personnel towards radiation emergency

Abstract

Significant policy implementation programmes has been made at national level to prepare the medical providers towards radiation emergency. However, it is unclear what impact these initiatives have had. As part of policy implementation programme evaluation, this article attempted to identify the dominant factors that hinder their preparedness. In the past, most available measurements for preparedness were conducted qualitatively through drills and exercises. This research proposed the measurement to be conducted quantitatively using an instrument which had went through necessary stages of validation process by experts and statistical software to ensure the data and the results produced were valid. The samples were selected using purposive sampling method involving medical personnel of emergency departments in Klang Valley hospitals. The assessment focused on three criteria of preparedness namely: able, willing, and ready. The findings showed that the main barriers to preparedness were inadequacy of knowledge and skills on response operation, and fear of radiation threat. Several suggestions were proposed to lessen these barriers, and strengthening the policy implementation towards radiation emergency preparedness.