The Pandemic Stress Vaccine: A Resource to Enhance the Resilience of Healthcare Workers Facing an Infectious Outbreak

• Pandemic self-efficacy [ Time Frame: 32 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Interpersonal problems [ Time Frame: 32 weeks ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of an interactive, computerized learning resource designed to increase resilience in hospital-based health care workers preparing for an influenza pandemic. The effects of the learning resource will be compared to a non-interactive learning resource condition and a control condition. It is hypothesized that (a) online pandemic-related education reduces absenteeism and interpersonal problems for healthcare workers (HCWs), and improves their pandemic self-efficacy in the short and long-term, and (b) an interactive format for online education is necessary for its benefits.

• Behavioral: Interactive computerized learning resource
  In a series of interactive scenarios, participants can "see" themselves in stressful work situations that could arise during an influenza pandemic and reflect on effective ways to work out personal and interpersonal difficulties.
• Behavioral: Didactic computerized learning resource
  In a non-interactive format (i.e., a series of audio presentations with accompanying PowerPoint-type slides) participants are given information on how to handle stressful work situations that could arise during an influenza pandemic.

• Experimental: Pandemic Stress Vaccine - Interactive
  Intervention: Behavioral: Interactive computerized learning resource
• Active Comparator: Pandemic Stress Vaccine - Didactic
  Intervention: Behavioral: Didactic computerized learning resource
• No Intervention: Wait list
  Some participants are assigned to an eight week waiting condition prior to the course commencing.

Inclusion Criteria:

• employee or professional staff of a hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

• unable to read and write English