Disaster medicine training in family medicine: a review of the evidence

When disasters strike, local physicians are at the front lines of the response in their community. Curriculum guidelines have been developed to aid in preparation of family medicine residents to fulfill this role. Disaster responsiveness has recently been added to the Residency Review Committee Program Requirements in Community Medicine with little family medicine literature support. In this article, the evidence in support of disaster training in a variety of settings is reviewed. Published evidence of improved educational or patient-oriented outcomes as a result of disaster training in general, or of specific educational modalities, is weak. As disaster preparedness and disaster training continue to be implemented, the authors call for increased outcome-based research in disaster response training.     

Disaster medicine: lessons from Enschede and Volendam]

Two major disasters hit the Netherlands recently: on May 13th 2000, a local fireworks depot exploded in the middle of the city of Enschede and on New Year's Eve 2001, fire destroyed a pub full of people in Volendam. Lessons from the involvement of medical services in these disasters include: disaster medicine must be seen as an extension of emergency care. Hospital staff should be familiar with the procedures in case of a disaster, and regular practice on a regular basis is mandatory. Logistics, as well as individual care of the victims, differ in detail from everyday practice, notably during the first hour following the disaster. Attention should be paid to the provision of psychological aftercare soon after the event for the victims and their families, as well as for health care workers.     

Disaster preparedness

A natural disaster can be a frightening experience, where events are out of our control. Safety in such an emergency cannot be taken lightly. It is important to remember that safety is everyone's responsibility; plan ahead and know what you are to do! Review and rehearse emergency plans, know your work area and be prepared. Above all, stay calm. Your survival may depend on it!     

Disaster scholarship

Advances in Health Sciences Education - In this editorial, the Editor considers four domains of disaster in health professions education; the scholarship of disasters, disasters in the conduct of...