Analysis and Review of the Countermeasures Required for Medical Staff’s Cognition of Relevant Laws and Regulations in the Coronavirus 2019 Context

Abstract

Background

Novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infections are highly contagious and have spread worldwide. Healthcare workers must understand the laws and regulations related to major public health emergencies to work effectively within this environment. Through investigation and analysis, a review was conducted to help gain a better understanding of a Level-1 response to public health events and the relevant laws and regulations applicable to medical staff. Based on the results, this study formulated measures for working in the current COVID-19 healthcare context.

Methods

A total of 42,490 medical personnel in 18 cities in Henan Province (China) were reviewed and analysed using the convenience sampling method. A questionnaire was employed to address two areas of cognitive status quo (25 items), ie, “general information” and “major public events and rules of the law”.

Results

More than 90% of medical staff had a good understanding related to knowledge about prevention and control in the pandemic context, as well as their due diligence and legal responsibility for controlling the pandemic and preventing others from being infected. However, 3.47–32.61% of medical staff still had a minimal understanding of a Level-1 response to public health events and its relevant laws and regulations.

Conclusion

The response to public health events required strengthening at all levels through promotion and education, by implementing an optimised treatment system and establishing an improved legal mechanism for the treatment of major conditions, such as hierarchical, stratified and triaged infectious diseases.

Keywords:

• coronavirus disease 2019
• major public health events
• laws and regulations
• cognitive behaviour

Data Sharing Statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

Ethics Approval

This study was conducted in accordance with the declaration of Helsinki. This study was conducted with approval from the Ethics Committee of Henan Provincial People's Hospital.

Consent to Participate

Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.

Acknowledgments

We would like to express our gratitude to all those who helped us during the writing of this manuscript.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

All of the authors report no personal, financial, commercial, or academic conflicts of interest in relation to this work.

Additional information

Funding

1. 2020 Henan Province Medical Science and Technology Research Plan (Joint Construction) Project (Grant No. LHGJ20200044). 2. 2019 Henan Province Medical Science and Technology Research Plan (Joint Construction) Project (Grant No. LHGJ20190624).