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Table 1 Articles related to infectious disease outbreaks

From: Health workforce strategies in response to major health events: a rapid scoping review with lessons learned for the response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Infectious disease outbreaks

First author (year)

(citation)

Crisis

(year)

Types of challenges

Types of strategies

Provider groups

Setting

Type of article

Types of evaluations

Booth (2005)

[12]

SARS (2003)

Mass casualty/patient surge, damaged/reduced/insufficient facilities, loss of workforce

Increase numbers: broader scope of practice

Increase flexibility: telehealth/virtual care

Increase support: mental health counseling for front line workers

Physicians, nurses

Critical care, hospitals

Observational–descriptive

Lessons learned

Chaple (2017)

[13]

Ebola epidemic (2013–2014)

Mass casualty/patient surge, damaged/reduced/insufficient facilities, loss of workforce

Increase numbers: solidarity staffing (e.g., deployments to/from other jurisdictions)

Physicians, nurses

Hospitals

Observational–descriptive

Data about patients/procedures, data about workforce

Charney (2012)

[14]

H1N1 influenza (2009)

Mass casualty/patient surge

Increase numbers: cross-sector staff deployments

Increase flexibility: cross-sector deployment

Physicians, nurses

Emergency medical services, hospitals

Observational–descriptive

Data about patients/procedures, data about costs

Chin (2004)

[15]

SARS (2003)

Excess staff within unit

Increase flexibility: alternative deployments for health workers whose normal duties are temporarily suspended

Pharmacists

Hospitals

Observational–descriptive

Lessons learned

Chou (2010)

[16]

SARS (2003)

Mass casualty/patient surge, loss of workforce

Increase numbers: back-up solutions for absenteeism, dedicated hospital

Increase flexibility: rapid upskilling/reskilling existing and available workers (e.g., laid off), alternative deployments for health workers whose normal duties are temporarily suspended, expanded roles

Increase support: Mental health services, Housing for front-line workers

Nurses, military health workers

Critical care, hospitals

Observational–descriptive

Lessons learned

Considine (2011)

[17]

H1N1 influenza (2009)

Mass casualty/patient surge, loss of workforce

Increase flexibility: alternative deployments for health workers with underlying health conditions, alternative deployments for health workers whose normal duties are temporarily suspended, cross-sector deployment

Physicians, nurses, students

Emergency medical services, hospitals

Analytical–survey

Data about workforce (redeployment and absenteeism)

Corley (2010)

[18]

H1N1 influenza (2009)

Mass casualty/patient surge

Increase numbers: overtime hours

Increase flexibility: rapid upskilling/reskilling existing and available workers (e.g., laid off), task shifting/delegation, new roles, expanded roles

Nurses

Critical care, hospitals

Analytical–qualitative

Data about workforce experience

Crawford (2010)

[19]

H1N1 influenza (2009)

Mass casualty/patient surge

Increase numbers: cross-sector staff deployments

Increase flexibility: task shifting/delegation

Increase support: mandatory off duty rotation

Medical laboratory workers

Diagnostic services

Observational–descriptive

Data about patients/procedures, lessons learned

Cruz (2010)

[20]

H1N1 influenza (2009)

Mass casualty/patient surge

Increase numbers: Field hospital

Increase flexibility: alternative deployments for health workers whose normal duties are temporarily suspended

Physicians, nurses, medical laboratory workers,

Emergency medical services, hospitals

Observational–descriptive

Data about patients/procedures, lessons learned