Development and implementation of a Pacific Island-centred COVID-19 Health Worker Safety Guide.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Healthcare workers in Pacific Island Countries face unique workload and infection control hazards because of limited resources, cultural practices and local disease burden. In the context of COVID-19, concern around healthcare worker safety escalated in the region, triggering the need for a relevant resource. METHODS: We describe a collaborative, participatory action-research approach with a diverse range of local clinicians in Pacific Island Countries to design, develop and implement a practical guideline assisting clinicians to work safely during the pandemic. RESULTS: The resulting Health Worker Safety Guide for COVID-19 is a relevant and usable protocol developed using local knowledge and now available in several Pacific languages. CONCLUSION: We recommend a creative approach to facilitate meaningful communication with this group of clinicians, including low resolution technology and use of social media platforms.