Factors informing healthcare workers' willingness to work during the COVID-19 pandemic

ObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic represents a substantial challenge to healthcare workers. Exploring the determinants of their willingness to work is crucial to ensuring hospital function during the outbreak. Hence, this study examines the factors affecting the motivation and hesitation of health workers in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. Study DesignAn online, anonymous survey was carried out among Polish healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodThe respondents were asked about their demographic characteristics, stress-related factors, and their self-reported motivation and hesitation to work. The responses were gathered during September-December 2020. Results912 valid responses were obtained. Of these, 22.8% (N = 208) respondents reported being strongly motivated to work while 37.8% (N = 345) expressed strong hesitation. The participants demographic characteristics and their responses to the stress-related questions were assigned to four categories depending on the odds ratios of motivation and hesitation. While some factors were linked to enhanced motivation and reduced hesitation, others solely affected either motivation or hesitation, and yet others had a positive impact on both. ConclusionOverall, the study indicates that in order to increase hospital workers motivation and decrease their hesitation, they must be made to feel protected by both their hospitals and local and national authorities.