The COVID-19 pandemic took an incalculable toll. Doctors and nurses were committed to caring for patients during the pandemic, and despite increased personal risks and an exceptionally high work volume, they met extraordinary demands for healthcare.

In summer 2021, Pandemic Action Network partners conducted a study with doctors and nurses in the U.S. to learn what they needed to feel more prepared for this pandemic and the next. Research findings highlight that nearly two years into the pandemic, frontline health workers didn’t have the tools they needed to treat patients effectively and save lives while keeping themselves safe. The research also pointed the way toward better preparedness and response for a future pandemic.

The Data

• Notably, access to personal protective equipment (PPE) was a problem — with nearly a third of doctors and nurses saying they did not have sufficient access to PPE, even in summer 2021.
• Sixty-one percent of doctors and nurses said that they did not have sufficient early warning to prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic, despite best efforts.
• A third of doctors and nurses felt it was challenging to follow changing workflows and protocols.

Read our factsheet to learn more about the survey results and click below to take action.