Inquiry: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing (Nov 2022)

Reported Self-Efficacy of Health Educators During COVID-19

  • Brandye D. Nobiling PhD, CHES®, CSE,
  • Deneen Long-White PhD, CHES®,
  • Ashley Petrolino MPH, CHES®, RRT, AE-C

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580221139140
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 59

Abstract

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The COVID-19 pandemic forced many public health professionals to take on new roles such as online teaching, communicating, and managing; serving on the frontlines of patient care; and serving as health education resource personnel. Researchers of this study posed the question: How has the pandemic impacted those who serve to help others? Seven aspects of self-efficacy in professional practice were examined via an online survey sent to health educators. Respondents were extremely confident communicating with their colleagues and supervisors (60%) and with students (51%), but only 19% were extremely confident in maintaining a work-life balance and 22% in managing personal and professional stress. Respondents reported being confident in all areas of responsibilities, overall, but they were most confident in Area 8 (ethics and professionalism) and least confident in Area 1 (assessing the needs and capacity of a community) since COVID-19. Findings imply a need for more professional development opportunities to foster professional and personal self-efficacy and to improve self-efficacy in needs assessment, leadership, and advocacy. Findings also show a need for workplace or state-based interventions to support resiliency and self-care among professionals who work to serve others.