Impact of Attending a Healthcare Conference in Toronto During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Crisis: Survey of Delegates

Abstract

Health care professionals planning conferences in this era of new respiratory diseases can benefit from understanding the responses of delegates who attended conferences during outbreaks. Clear communication about the potential risks and benefits, as well as instituting full screening precautions, will help to allay concerns.

The relationship between obsessive compulsive beliefs and symptoms, anxiety and disgust sensitivity, and Swine Flu fears

“…Other recent pandemics showed that anxiety was elevated among individuals living in urban areas associated with the outbreak. For example, during the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which had primary outbreaks in Hong Kong and Toronto, it was shown that there was high anxiety regarding the risk of illness in general population of Hong Kong (Cheng & Cheung, 2005) and for individuals who attending a conference in Toronto (Stinson, McCartney, Leung, & Katz, 2004). The incidence of psychiatric disturbance following the SARS outbreak was limited primarily to those with prior psychiatric histories (Lancee, Maunder, & Goldbloom, 2008).…”

Infectious diseases after medical conventions

“…A similar survey conducted during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic in May 2003 at a fairly large pain convention in Toronto did not address manifest disease but the reasons for attending the meeting despite the attendees’ concerns and anxieties [ 3 ].…”

COVID-19 pandemic fears and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in adolescents with pre-existing mental disorders: An exploratory cross-sectional study

“…Pandemic fears can increase levels of anxiety and stress in the healthy population and worsen symptoms among individuals with pre-existing mental disorders (Shigemura et al, 2020). It was demonstrated during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) pandemic, which had primary outbreaks in Hong Kong and Toronto, that there was high anxiety regarding the risk of illness in the general population in Hong Kong (Mak et al, 2009) and among attendees at a conference in Toronto (Stinson et al, 2004). Another study has previously concluded that widely publicised pandemics are associated with an increased level of anxiety and potential worsening of psychiatric vulnerabilities (Lancee et al, 2008).…”