The importance of pre-training gap analyses and the identification of competencies and skill requirements of medical personnel for mass casualty incidents and disaster training

Abstract

Background Effective preparedness to respond to mass casualty incidents and disasters requires a well-planned and integrated effort by all involved professionals, particularly those who are working in healthcare, who are equipped with unique knowledge and skills for emergencies. This study aims to investigate and evaluate the level of knowledge and skills related to mass casualty and disaster management in a cohort of healthcare professionals. Methods A cross-sectional brief study was conducted using a validated and anonymous questionnaire, with a sample of 134 employees at a clinical hospital in Lublin, Poland. Results The findings of this study may indicate a need for standardization of training for hospitals employees. It also suggests a knowledge gap between different professional groups, which calls for adjusting such general training, to at least, the weakest group, while special tasks and mission can be given to other groups within the training occasion. Conclusion Pre-Training gap analyses and identification of participants’ competencies and skills should be conducted prior to training in mass casualty incidents and disasters. Such analyses provides an opportunity to develop training curriculum at various skill and knowledge levels from basic to advance. All training in mass casualty incidents and disasters should be subject to ongoing, not just periodic, evaluation, in order to assess continued competency.

Association of Nursing Work Environment, Relationship with the Head Nurse, and Resilience with Post-Traumatic Growth in Emergency Department Nurses

“…The results of this study show that it is necessary to develop a program that can increase posttraumatic growth through improvement in the work environment, increase in resilience, and training to improve the relationship with the head nurse, and research to verify the effectiveness of the program needs to be conducted. Since a gap in knowledge, skills and competency among healthcare professionals in the management of disasters exists, standardization of a program with a pre-training evaluation should be developed for nurses working in different units [42]. Further study is necessary whether studied variables show the potential mediation or interaction effects.…”

Integrated Healthcare and the Dilemma of Public Health Emergencies

“…Such compatibility needs educational initiatives [96] in all levels of disaster management to be implemented during a period and resource scarcity. More knowledge is needed to effectively develop, support, and disseminate initiatives related to coordinated healthcare in individual healthcare systems of different countries and during different scenarios [97][98][99][100][101][102]. It is equally important to pay attention to initiatives, which will allow the creation of better and enhanced technical and organizational solutions, as well as change the behavior of patients and healthcare providers.…”

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Flood Emergency Preparedness among Healthcare Providers in Saudi Arabia

“…Flooding today must be both appreciated and managed as multifactorial events [48][49][50][51][52]. Therefore, developing guidelines and standard operating procedures in addition to the introduction of educational interventions, such as training campaigns, and designing mobile solutions aimed to enhance the knowledge and awareness among HCWs is highly recommended [53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67]. It is essential to make a major shift toward improvement as far as the notion of flood disaster preparedness for healthcare providers is concerned.…”