scholarly journals A Consensus-based Educational Framework and Competency Set for the Discipline of Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Italo Subbarao ◽  
James M. Lyznicki ◽  
Edbert B. Hsu ◽  
Kristine M. Gebbie ◽  
David Markenson ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTBackground: Various organizations and universities have developed competencies for health professionals and other emergency responders. Little effort has been devoted to the integration of these competencies across health specialties and professions. The American Medical Association Center for Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response convened an expert working group (EWG) to review extant competencies and achieve consensus on an educational framework and competency set from which educators could devise learning objectives and curricula tailored to fit the needs of all health professionals in a disaster.Methods: The EWG conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed and non–peer reviewed published literature. In addition, after-action reports from Hurricane Katrina and relevant publications recommended by EWG members and other subject matter experts were reviewed for congruencies and gaps. Consensus was ensured through a 3-stage Delphi process.Results: The EWG process developed a new educational framework for disaster medicine and public health preparedness based on consensus identification of 7 core learning domains, 19 core competencies, and 73 specific competencies targeted at 3 broad health personnel categories.Conclusions: The competencies can be applied to a wide range of health professionals who are expected to perform at different levels (informed worker/student, practitioner, leader) according to experience, professional role, level of education, or job function. Although these competencies strongly reflect lessons learned following the health system response to Hurricane Katrina, it must be understood that preparedness is a process, and that these competencies must be reviewed continually and refined over time. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2008;2:57–68)

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (02) ◽  
pp. 165-172
Author(s):  
Liang Zhou ◽  
Ping Zhang ◽  
Zhigang Zhang ◽  
Lidong Fan ◽  
Shuo Tang ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTThis study analyzed and assessed publication trends in articles on “disaster medicine,” using scientometric analysis. Data were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) of Thomson Reuters on March 27, 2017. A total of 564 publications on disaster medicine were identified. There was a mild increase in the number of articles on disaster medicine from 2008 (n=55) to 2016 (n=83). Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness published the most articles, the majority of articles were published in the United States, and the leading institute was Tohoku University. F. Della Corte, M. D. Christian, and P. L. Ingrassia were the top authors on the topic, and the field of public health generated the most publications. Terms analysis indicated that emergency medicine, public health, disaster preparedness, natural disasters, medicine, and management were the research hotspots, whereas Hurricane Katrina, mechanical ventilation, occupational medicine, intensive care, and European journals represented the frontiers of disaster medicine research. Overall, our analysis revealed that disaster medicine studies are closely related to other medical fields and provides researchers and policy-makers in this area with new insight into the hotspots and dynamic directions. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:165–172)


2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
James J. James ◽  
Georges C. Benjamin ◽  
Frederick M. Burkle ◽  
Kristine M. Gebbie ◽  
Gabor Kelen ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 867-898
Author(s):  
Edward Kissam

Providing the public with relevant and reliable statistical information about the impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable populations is a crucial weapon in effective public health system response. This article examines the reporting challenges confronted by local public health agencies based on a case study of farmworker communities of the San Joaquin Valley, Eastern Coachella Valley, and Salinas Valley. The analysis includes a quantitative estimate of the impact COVID-19 has on farmworker households and highlights how socioeconomic factors and housing conditions give rise to health disparities. The importance of local data collection and reporting as the foundation for a national epidemiological tracking system is emphasized. Current shortcomings stemming from flawed national guidance and local political pressures are noted. The discussion includes detailed recommendation for improved reporting including: more systematic tabulations of available data, an expanded set of indicators to monitor public health system response, promising approaches to improve representativeness of test-derived data on COVID-19 by making it easier to access testing and support services, coupled with messaging to broaden farmworkers’ and other socio-politically marginalized populations’ willingness to seek testing. Understanding the challenges faced and lessons learned in the San Joaquin Valley region have practical implications for a wide range of countries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomasina Stacey ◽  
Melanie Haith-Cooper ◽  
Nisa Almas ◽  
Charlotte Kenyon

Abstract Background Stillbirth is a global public health priority. Within the United Kingdom, perinatal mortality disproportionately impacts Black, Asian and minority ethnic women, and in particular migrant women. Although the explanation for this remains unclear, it is thought to be multidimensional. Improving perinatal mortality is reliant upon raising awareness of stillbirth and its associated risk factors, as well as improving maternity services. The aim of this study was to explore migrant women’s awareness of health messages to reduce stillbirth risk, and how key public health messages can be made more accessible. Method Two semi-structured focus groups and 13 one to one interviews were completed with a purposive sample of 30 migrant women from 18 countries and across 4 NHS Trusts. Results Participants provided an account of their general awareness of stillbirth and recollection of the advice they had been given to reduce the risk of stillbirth both before and during pregnancy. They also suggested approaches to how key messages might be more effectively communicated to migrant women. Conclusions Our study highlights the complexity of discussing stillbirth during pregnancy. The women in this study were found to receive a wide range of advice from family and friends as well as health professionals about how to keep their baby safe in pregnancy, they recommended the development of a range of resources to provide clear and consistent messages. Health professionals, in particular midwives who have developed a trusting relationship with the women will be key to ensuring that public health messages relating to stillbirth reduction are accessible to culturally and linguistically diverse communities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Copperstone ◽  
M Bonello

Abstract Background Addressing health inequalities is a crucial public health issue. It is thus imperative that health professionals are equipped with explicit competences to recognise and address health inequalities. Methods This is a multi-phase mixed-methods study exploring health inequalities and training within professional health curricula at the University of Malta. Phase One consists of a scoping study which explores whether and how health inequalities feature within the health professions' undergraduate curricula. This involved a systematic search of undergraduate health professional curricula, including competency profiles in each programme of study, using information available in the public domain. Academic year reviewed was 2019-2020. To ensure harmonisation, the two independent reviewers used the following search strategy: a) using a keyword descriptive approach (MeSH terms divided into two levels: direct, level one, and more general keywords, level two) and b) a more subjective approach to assess wider topic elements. Results Preliminary results emanating from mapping of 19 different programmes of study will be presented. A wide range of occurrences, from zero occurrences in some programmes to a maximum of one occurrence for level one and 12 for level two keywords in other programmes, was observed. Conclusions There is a wide disparity between the awareness of and training of inequalities across different professional training programmes. This provides the groundwork for Phase Two of this research during which public health stakeholders' attitudes and perceptions on health professional training and current practices will be explored. Findings from this study will provide the evidence and the impetus for possible interdisciplinary modules and/or continuous professional development programmes in health inequalities. Key messages The need for developing short courses/reviewing health curricula to incorporate health inequalities is encouraged. Public health professionals have a responsibility to address health inequalities in their professional practice.


2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S1) ◽  
pp. s81-s81 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Reilly

IntroductionImmediately following a major public health emergency or complex humanitarian emergency such as the South East Asian Tsunami in 2004, the Haitian Earthquake in 2010 or Hurricane Katrina in 2005, there is a critical need to rapidly and as accurately as possible gather information not limited to morbidity and mortality, but necessary to assess the stability and existence of a public health or medical infrastructure, logistic supply chain, condition of food, water and shelter for victims and rescue workers, and particularly the security and stability of the region following the incident. With this information, only then can an effective humanitarian response be planned and executed that meets the actual versus perceived needs of an affected population.MethodsSpecific disaster risk assessment and medical intelligence techniques will be presented that are currently used by a variety of relief organizations. Specific topics of discussion include: Disaster epidemiology; Indicators of health in populations; Systems of surveillance; Impact of weather and climate; Displaced populations and refugee health; Tactical and combat medical intelligence; Zoonotic diseases; Agricultural trends and food security; Public health and health system infrastructure assessment; and Personal and physical security concerns.ConclusionsUtilizing case reports, best-practices and lessons learned from numerous international humanitarian responses, this session will guide participants though the performance of a rapid disaster assessment and the gathering of critical medical intelligence to determine the kinds and types of resources needed in an affected area. And the process of utilizing limited information to plan humanitarian relief efforts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-118
Author(s):  
Natasha Lee

AbstractThe current agenda in public health training in higher education works to produce well-trained public health professionals. Operating within a western pedagogical framework it aims to build a cohort of critical and analytical thinkers, skilful problem solvers and extraordinary communicators across key disciplines in health. Many graduates possess interdisciplinary specialities, skills and knowledge transferable within health and other sectors. Core competencies in the curricula, which notably does not currently include Indigenous health, are considered the foundational platform of theory and practical understandings of public health and the health system. Despite a framework that aims to produce health professionals capable of improving the health of the population as a whole; the lack of engagement with an Indigenous health criticality maintains a longstanding Australian public health tradition of failure when it comes to addressing the health disparities experienced by Indigenous people. As a recent Indigenous public health graduate with practical training and experience working in the public health system, I consider possibilities for decolonising the curricula through an Indigenist approach to health, including theories of transformative learning which could strengthen public health practice and in turn facilitate the changes necessary to improving Indigenous health outcomes.


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