How Medical Studies in Poland Prepare Future Healthcare Managers for Crises and Disasters: Results of a Pilot Study.

Patrycja Misztal-Okońska,Riyadh A Alhazmi,Krzysztof Goniewicz,Attila J Hertelendy,Ahmed Al-Wathinani,Mariusz Goniewicz,Amir Khorram-Manesh

doi:10.3390/healthcare8030202

Abstract

In the event of a crisis, rapid and effective assistance for victims is essential, and in many cases, medical assistance is required. To manage the situation efficiently, it is necessary to have a proactive management system in place that ensures professional assistance to victims and the safety of medical personnel. We evaluated the perceptions of students and graduates in public health studies at the Medical University of Lublin, Poland, concerning their preparation and management skills for crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This pilot study was conducted in March 2020; we employed an online survey with an anonymous questionnaire that was addressed to students and graduates with an educational focus in healthcare organization and management. The study involved 55 people, including 14 men and 41 women. Among the respondents, 41.8% currently worked in a healthcare facility and only 21.7% of them had participated in training related to preparation for emergencies and disasters in their current workplace. The respondents rated their workplaces’ preparedness for the COVID-19 pandemic at four points. A significant number of respondents stated that if they had to manage a public health emergency, they would not be able to manage the situation correctly and not be able to predict its development. Managers of healthcare organizations should have the knowledge and skills to manage crises. It would be advisable for them to have been formally educated in public health or healthcare administration. In every healthcare facility, it is essential that training and practice of performing medical procedures in full personal protective equipment (PPE) be provided. Healthcare facilities must implement regular training combined with practical live scenario exercises to prepare for future crises.

Highlights

Rapid economic development combined with urbanization has led to significant human encroachment on the natural environment; this has exacerbated climate change, increasing the severity and frequency of extreme weather events that often result in morbidity and mortality [1,2].The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in healthcare systems globally
Among people working in healthcare facilities, only 21.7% (5 subjects) in the present workplace had participated in preparation training related for mass-casualty incidents and disasters
Our findings suggested that among the respondents who worked in healthcare facilities, as many as 78.3% had not received any training related to preparation for crises and disaster

Summary

Introduction

Rapid economic development combined with urbanization has led to significant human encroachment on the natural environment; this has exacerbated climate change, increasing the severity and frequency of extreme weather events that often result in morbidity and mortality [1,2]. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed vulnerabilities in healthcare systems globally. It is imperative to review what healthcare managers are currently being taught to determine gaps in the curriculum to better prepare healthcare leaders for future disasters and pandemics. Rapid and effective assistance to victims is essential. Medical assistance is often necessary, and a significant number of victims require coordinated treatment and transport to healthcare facilities. The work of medical facilities cannot be carried out without an appropriate management system. Managers of healthcare facilities must have the knowledge and skills needed to manage crises effectively [3]

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