Nation-Wide Implementation of Disaster Medical Coordinators in Japan

Abstract

In the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE), successful medical and public health coordination by pre-assigned disaster medical coordinators saved many affected people, though the coordination itself had difficulties. This study aims to clarify the implementation and the challenges of disaster medical coordinators in Japan. We performed questionnaire surveillance in 2012 and 2014 to all prefectural government on assignment of disaster medical coordinators, their expected roles and supporting system. Out of all 47 prefectures, assignment or planning of disaster medical coordinators jumped up from four (8.5%) to 43 (91.5%) by the end of 2015. The most expected role is the coordination with Japan Disaster Medical Assistant Team (DMAT) and with other early responders. The evacuation center management, public health coordination and preparedness before disaster are less frequently expected. The supporting materials, human resource, and tools for communication vary according to the prefecture. Successful implementation requires the effort of health and governmental stakeholders. The coordination between prefectural and local coordinators and the coordination between medical and public health authorities still need to be improved. The roles of disaster medical coordinators depend on the local context and types of hazards. Education and training to build fundamental capacity is necessary. In conclusion, Japanese disaster medical system rapidly implemented disaster medical coordinator after GEJE. Their roles and standardization are challenging, but education, training and systematic support by the local government will enhance the effective preparedness and response of the health sector in disasters.

Activity of a Medical Relief Team from Shizuoka Hospital that was Dispatched to the Atami Debris Flow in 2021

“…Accordingly, the main responsibility of the HQ-D-PHC in Atami city was providing appropriate living support for the evacuated refugees, rather than urgent medical intervention. After the experience of Great East Japan Earthquake, to prevent disaster-related deaths among refugees over the long term, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare decided to develop DMAT members as disaster medical coordinators for coordination among various medical organizations under the leadership of PHCs 4) . Human resources trained based on this framework have already contributed to disaster management following the Kumamoto Earthquake in 2016, and contributed to disaster management following the Atami debris flow in 2021 5) .…”

An Exploration of Discrepancies and Concordances Between Hospital Disaster Directors and General Health Care Providers in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea: Quantitative Analysis of a Multicenter Cross-Sectional Survey Study

“…Countries with more advanced disaster preparedness and response programs, such as the United States and Japan, have experienced catastrophic disasters in the past and have improved through these experiences. [8][9][10][11][12] A thorough review and analysis of the process of coping with previous disasters could lead to a well-planned disaster preparedness system in South Korea. Previous studies of development of standardized core competencies for disaster medicine and public health revealed that these competencies were determined through an objective, specific, and scientific process.…”

Progress of Disaster Medicine during Ten Years after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

“…Lower number of meeting participants was associated with anxiety reduction and higher subjective comprehension. Egawa et al (2017b) described the nation-wide implementation of disaster medical coordinators in more than 80% of prefectures in Japan. The fist disaster medical coordinator was assigned in Hyogo Prefecture soon after the 1995 GHAE, but was only followed by four prefectures including Miyagi, until the GEJE reminded its necessity.…”