Characteristics of Medical Teams in Disaster

Abstract

Disasters present unique challenges for teams providing medical assistance to those populations impacted by the event. This scoping review focused on the characteristics of medical teams in disaster and how these characteristics are developed. The scoping review methods of Arksey and O'Malley were followed. An inductive thematic analysis of selected articles was used to identify recurrent themes. A total of 6,521 articles were reviewed from eight databases, yielding 33 articles. Four recurrent theme groups were identified: (1) adaptability, flexibility, and improvisation; (2) creativity and innovation; (3) experience and training; and (4) leadership and command structure. The study highlighted key characteristics identified by responders for effective team functioning and interdependence between the characteristics. It also identified the paucity of literature on the subject. Results from the study can help to guide future research and training development for medical teams in disaster. Oldenburger D , Baumann A , Banfield L . Characteristics of medical teams in disaster. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(2):195-200.

Implementing primary healthcare nurse practitioners in long‐term care teams: A qualitative descriptive study

“…There is consensus in the literature (e.g., Andregard & Jangland, ; Maier et al., ; Oldenburger, Baumann, & Banfield, ) that implementation of advanced practice nursing roles, like those of NPs is complex. Several factors, including role clarity and support of managers and healthcare team members influence optimal implementation of these roles (Kilpatrick, Lavoie‐Tremblay, Ritchie, Doran, & Lamothe, ; Kilpatrick, Lavoie‐Tremblay, Ritchie, Lamothe, et al., ).…”

Organization and Preparedness of Emergency and Disaster Medical Response Teams: Obstacles and Challenges

“…In line with the results of the present study, Oldenburger et al (2017) stated that team leaders are responsible for facilitating teamwork by guiding and facilitating members' communication with each other [25]. Hisayoshi Kondo (2009), while describing the process of deployment of medical aid teams in the disasters of Japan, stated that the teams arriving at the scene of the accident were required to provide services under the supervision and command of the operational team stationed in the area [26][27][28][29]. Based on the findings of the participants' experiences, the existence of a leadership/command structure in disaster response teams is necessary to lead, control, and create internal and external coordination, create cohesion in the team, and ensure the safety of members.…”

What structural factors influencing emergency and disaster medical response teams? A comparative review study

“…extracted the characteristics of adaptability, flexibility, experience, and education for EDMRTs, which are consistent with the findings mentioned above. [ 28 ] As mentioned in these structures, it is not enough to have knowledge and skills to join the EDMRTs, but alongside these indicators, physical and mental health, personality traits such as motivation,[ 19 29 ] the ability for teamwork, and the ability to successfully carry out fieldwork together with other team members should also be considered in this respect. [ 30 31 ] It seems that for the selection of competent and eligible people in the response process, we need to evaluate the competency and characteristics required for the membership of volunteers or selected individuals in different EDMRTs in the form of a systematic investigation.…”