Physician's hesitancy in treating COVID-19 patients and its associated occupational risk factors in Indonesia: an online cross-sectional survey

Authors

  • Dewi Sumaryani Soemarko Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta
  • Aria Kekalih Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta
  • Ari Fahrial Syam Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta
  • Evy Yunihastuti Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta
  • Herikurniawan Herikurniawan Division of Respirology and Critical Illness, Department of Internal Medicine, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta
  • Mikhael Yosia Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3701-0769

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2023.2558

Keywords:

hesitancy, COVID-19, post-COVID, medical doctors, Indonesia

Abstract

This cross-sectional survey aims to investigate physician hesitancy in treating COVID-19 patients in Indonesia, particularly among those who have already contracted the disease, along with associated occupational risk factors. The study involved distributing a questionnaire to physicians across the country, using contact information from the Indonesian Physician Association database. The results show that out of the 383 participants, 25.6% experienced moderate symptoms of COVID-19, and 2.9% required critical care. The study found that 20.3% of physicians demonstrated hesitancy to treat suspected, probable, or confirmed COVID-19 patients. Interestingly, older physicians and those with less experience in treating COVID-19 patients were found to have a higher hesitancy rate, while specialist trainees and those working in public hospitals demonstrated the lowest hesitancy. These findings highlight the significant hesitancy among physicians who have suffered from COVID-19 and underline the need for management and policymakers to take further action to address this issue. Understanding the effects and benefits of physician hesitancy in treating COVID-19 patients is crucial for ensuring the effective delivery of healthcare services during pandemics like COVID-19.

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Soemarko DS, Kekalih A, Syam AF, Yunihastuti E, Herikurniawan H, Yosia M. Physician’s Hesitancy in Treating COVID-19 Patients and Its Associated Occupational Risk Factors in Indonesia: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey. 2022 May 31 [cited 2022 Sep 12]; Available from: https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202205.0408/v1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202205.0408.v1

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Published

30-05-2023

How to Cite

Soemarko, D. S., Kekalih, A., Syam, A. F., Yunihastuti, E., Herikurniawan, H., & Yosia, M. (2023). Physician’s hesitancy in treating COVID-19 patients and its associated occupational risk factors in Indonesia: an online cross-sectional survey. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 14(7). https://doi.org/10.4081/jphia.2023.2558

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Section

Original Articles