Factors associated with physicians' decision making during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background Frontline medical staff, combating the Covid-19 pandemic are forced to make clinical and behavioral decisions daily. Their decision-making process and the factors associated with it, are of utmost importance in preserving and supporting their own health and their patient's health. Aims Tto explore the factors associated with physicians' decision-making during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel Methods Cross- sectional data were collected among 200 physicians at the Israeli health care system between March and May 2020 via an online questionnaire. A multiple hierarchical regression was calculated to assess the contribution of the study variables to the physicians' decision making. Results Most physicians reported that they complied with hygiene guidelines at work, issued by the Israeli ministry of health (MOH), fully (42%) or very often (31%), and with the MOH COVID-19 behavior guidelines fully (27%), very often (34%), or in general (23%). According to the study Results trust, positive emotions, perception of COVID-19 threat, and risk perceptions were found significant and positive. In other words, higher trust, more positive emotions, and perceptions of greater threat and risk, were associated with higher compliance with the MOH guidelines and more cautious decision making. Conclusions While threat and risk perceptions may be inevitable during the pandemic, trust and positive emotions may act as protective factors, encouraging cautious decision making among physicians. Key messages Physicians' decision making is a complex process affected by their perceptions, emotions, and trust levels. High levels of trust and positive emotions may facilitate carful decision making.