What Are Healthcare Professionals Saying About The COVID-19 Crisis?
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As part of our ongoing commitment to put the voice of your customers right at your fingertips, Suzy will be providing updates on consumer sentiment regarding the ongoing COVID-19 crisis as the situation develops. Check out our Consumer Insights hub for more stats, trackers, webinars, and more.
March 30, 2020 – With businesses shut down, schools closed, and millions of people either working from home or suddenly laid off, it’s safe to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost every single type of job there is in America. But for the 18 million healthcare workers that the CDC estimates are currently working in the United States, life has gotten even more stressful as they prepare to manage an influx of new Coronavirus-inflicted patients without succumbing to the disease themselves.
To learn more about how COVID-19 is affecting the attitudes of the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other workers on the frontlines of the pandemic, we took the methodologies that we used to construct our small business panel and put them towards segmenting out a new group: Consumers who work exclusively in the healthcare industry.
First, let’s break down exactly who makes up the over 600 active members of our latest panel:
23.3% are in administrative roles
22.5% are nursing professionals
18.3% are medical doctors
14.8% are medical techs
6.5% are physician assistants
5.7% are pharmacists
4.8% are occupational therapists
3.9% are dentists
To get things rolling, Suzy asked these healthcare professionals to describe their current workload:
40% are working more than usual
35% are working less than usual
25% are working roughly the same amount of hours
We also asked them to weigh in with their own opinions about how the crisis or might end up affecting their area, and what they themselves are doing to keep themselves safe.
50% are “extremely concerned” about the crisis affecting their workplace.
51% believe that they are prepared to deal with an outbreak in their local area.
Only 24% believe that they are NOT prepared to face an outbreak.
69% have already purchased their own personal supplies to protect themselves or their family from being infected.
30% feel that the pandemic will subside enough for people to return to work by May.
Most interestingly, our healthcare panel is extremely divided on whether or not the media is overplaying the dangers of COVID-19; 38% think that they ARE and 38% think they AREN’T, with the remaining 24% feeling somewhere in the middle.
When asked to explain what they wish people could understand about healthcare professionals during this crisis, many brought up their desire to keep their own families safe, and the severe lack of necessary equipment they have access to:
“We can take it home to our family, too, so if you can, avoid doing social gatherings, and please make sure you have the symptoms before you go to the hospital or your doctor.”
“We are on our feet for 12.5 hours without a break, minimal PPE [personal protective equipment], reusing masks and having critical patients all over – with people who are coming in for minor complaints demanding a significant amount of manpower that can be better used for more critical patients.”
“We have families to go home to as well. We cannot be at home, and we are also people who need to prepare for and try to do our part in flattening the pandemic curve just like you – be patient with us, as we try to help you. We're all on the same team.”
“We need protection just as much as a firefighter needs their fire gear or as a policeman needs their bulletproof vest.”
“We have families, too. Don’t judge us for working and caring. We are trying our hardest to keep things as normal as we can. The stress is beyond exhausting.”
Similarly, they want brands and companies to support them not just with informational awareness campaigns, but with actual, tangible supplies that they can use in the field:
“Food for when we can’t take a break. Masks and PPE.”
“Get us the supplies we need to take care of our patients to the best of our ability without putting ourselves at risk.”
“Donate gloves and masks.”
“Companies that make respirator, gloves, masks, gowns, hand sanitizer and antibacterial hand soap need to send us [more] supplies.”
“Free or discounted items help keep our spirits up, especially when our energy seems lower now than usual.”
Most importantly, they have an extremely clear message for anyone who’s concerned about contracting Coronavirus: “Stay home” and “Wash your hands.”
Have a question you want to ask healthcare professionals? Get in touch with us here.