International Guidelines and Standards for Education and Training to Reduce the Consequences of Events that May Threaten the Health Status of a Community – A Report of an Open International WADEM Meeting, Brussels, Belgium, 29-31 October 2004

Abstract

The continued professionalization of the humanitarian workforce requires sound underpinning by appropriate educational programs.The international disaster medicine and emergency health community requested the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM) develop international standards and guidelines for the education and training for disaster medicine. The Working Group of the WADEM Education Committee prepared and circulated an Issues Paper to structure input on this significant international task. Subsequently, the Working Group facilitated an Open International Meeting convened in Brussels, Belgium, 2004. The “Issues Paper” also was used as a framework to structure this International Meeting, which utilized case studies selected to represent the scope of disaster medicine, and prepared a meeting consensus on a framework for disaster health and for related educational programs.The two-day Brussels meeting attracted 51 participants from 19 countries, representing 21 disciplines.Participants reinforced the need to address the development of international standards and guidelines on education and training in this emerging discipline.Participants supported the view that the term “Disaster Health” suggested a multidisciplinary approach that is a more inclusive contemporary and appropriate term to describe this field, although there were dissenting views.The meeting formulated a consensus view in support of a framework for “Disaster Health”, which included: (1) primary disciplines; (2) support disciplines; (3) community response, resilience, and communication; and (4) socio-political context. The participants considered that this model lends itself to facilitating the development of educational programs in this field and believed that standards and guidelines initially should be developed in the “Core of Disaster Health” for undergraduates in relevant professions, for practicing professionals wishing to expand their practice in this field, and in the “Breadth of Disaster Health” for those wishing to be recognized as “Disaster Health Specialists” as academics, professionals, or policy leaders in this field at a University multidisciplinary Masters Degree level. A community-level and higher-specialist doctoral level would follow.Although the view of the participants was that the establishment of international approval/endorsement processes for education programs may have some benefits, there was less comfort in identifying which body/agency should be charged with this responsibility. The WADEM, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and the World Health Organization were identified as potential lead agents.The outcome of this international meeting is an important step toward meeting the challenge given the WADEM and will be developed further in consultation with the international disaster and emergency health community in order to improve education and training standards and professional practice.

Factors influencing readiness to deploy in disaster response: findings from a cross-sectional survey of the Department of Veterans Affairs Disaster Emergency Medical Personnel System

“…Underscoring the critical role of knowledge and skills in competent disaster response work, the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine [15] and other organizations have recommended guidelines for education and training programs for disaster medicine and humanitarian aid. The need for these recommendations is supported by work from around the globe.…”

Issues raised by nurses and midwives in a post-disaster Bantul community

“…This point of discussion by the nurses and midwives is supported by Shields and Hartati (2003), Hennessy et al (2006a, b, c), and Hatt et al (2007), who stated that the training and development needs of midwives varied in provinces, and the needs of community nurses are not well understood. It is crucial for disaster nursing trainings, as well as regular trainings, to build the capacity of health professionals (Archer and Seynaeve, 2007;WHO, 2007). The need for the development of disaster nursing at health centers did not escape the attention of the WHO (2007), who reports that it is vital to promote disaster preparedness in local community.…”

Education and Training Initiatives for Crisis Management in the European Union: A Web-based Analysis of Available Programs

“…[7][8][9] The Hyogo Framework, a worldwide strategy in disaster risk reduction, emphasizes the transfer of knowledge and expertise to strengthen disaster preparedness for an effective response to disasters at all levels. 11,12 As such, there have been both international and national attempts to develop educational curricula and materials for these professionals, with respect to disaster management. 11,12 As such, there have been both international and national attempts to develop educational curricula and materials for these professionals, with respect to disaster management.…”

“…10 The essential role of first responders and managerial professionals during disasters underlines the need for standardized all-hazard disaster educational programs. [11][12][13][14][15] However, while the number of disaster management educational programs continues to grow, there are no common standards upon which these programs are based. [11][12][13][14][15] However, while the number of disaster management educational programs continues to grow, there are no common standards upon which these programs are based.…”