Naslov
Education in Disaster Management and Emergencies: Defining a New European Course

Autori
Khorram-Manesh, Amir ; Ashkenazi, Michael ; Djalali, Ahmadreza ; Ingrassia, Pier Luigi ; Friedl, Torn ; von Armin, Gotz ; Lupesco, Olivera ; Kaptan, Kubilay ; Arculeo, Chris ; Hrečkovski, Boris ; Komadina, Radko ; Fisher, Philipp ; Voigt, Stefan ; James, James ; Gursky, Elin.

Izvornik
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness (1935-7893) 9 (2015), 3; 245-255

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, stručni

Ključne riječi
disaster planning ; education ; emergency medicine ; emergency preparedness ; government ; public health professional

Sažetak
OBJECTIVE: Unremitting natural disasters, deliberate threats, pandemics, and humanitarian suffering resulting from conflict situations necessitate swift and effective response paradigms. The European Union's (EU) increasing visibility as a disaster response enterprise suggests the need not only for financial contribution but also for instituting a coherent disaster response approach and management structure. The DITAC (Disaster Training Curriculum) project identified deficiencies in current responder training approaches and analyzed the characteristics and content required for a new, standardized European course in disaster management and emergencies. METHODS: Over 35 experts from within and outside the EU representing various organizations and specialties involved in disaster management composed the DITAC Consortium. These experts were also organized into 5 specifically tasked working groups. Extensive literature reviews were conducted to identify requirements and deficiencies and to craft a new training concept based on research trends and lessons learned. A pilot course and program dissemination plan was also developed. RESULTS: The lack of standardization was repeatedly highlighted as a serious deficiency in current disaster training methods, along with gaps in the command, control, and communication levels. A blended and competency- based teaching approach using exercises combined with lectures was recommended to improve intercultural and interdisciplinary integration. CONCLUSION: The goal of a European disaster management course should be to standardize and enhance intercultural and inter-agency performance across the disaster management cycle. A set of minimal standards and evaluation metrics can be achieved through consensus, education, and training in different units. The core of the training initiative will be a unit that presents a realistic situation "scenario-based training."

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita

POVEZANOST RADA