Increasing Awareness of Disaster Preparedness: Online Modules for Pre-Clerkship Medical Students

Abstract

OPEN ACCESSJune 7, 2013Increasing Awareness of Disaster Preparedness: Online Modules for Pre-Clerkship Medical Students Laryssa A. Patti, MD, Norma Saks, EdD Laryssa A. Patti, MD Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Google Scholar More articles by this author , Norma Saks, EdD University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Google Scholar More articles by this author https://doi.org/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.9441 SectionsAbout ToolsDownload Citations ShareFacebookTwitterEmail AbstractAbstract Introduction: In 2003, the Expert Panel on Bioterrorism Education for Medical Students, an inter-professional task force convened by the Association of American Medical Colleges, recommended the inclusion of disaster preparedness training in the medical student curriculum. However, few medical schools include disaster preparedness topics in their curricula. This resource provides educational material on disaster preparedness for first- and second-year medical students. It includes three short modules on disaster preparedness topics, consisting of: (1) the Incident Command System, a tool used to organize emergency response (2) triage, a process of determining the priority of patient treatment based on the severity of their injuries, and (3) weapons of mass destruction, materials that can cause harm and damage to large numbers of people or structures. Methods: The information in these modules is presented in separate 10–15 minute interactive online formats (45–60 minutes total), and can be used as a unit or individually. This resource includes a pre- and posttest for evaluation of student learning and a module evaluation form. Results: Fifteen first- and second-year medical students at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School volunteered to use this resource. The modules were made available on the school's internal course management system and pre- and posttest results and survey information were collected anonymously through the system. Pre- and posttest scores indicated that students gained knowledge regarding the topics covered in the modules; average scores increased from 63% to 83% correct. Overall, students responded positively to the use of the online format as a way of providing information. Thirteen reported this being their first exposure to disaster preparedness topics during medical school. All reported that the material in the modules was easy to understand, and 14 would recommend the modules to a classmate. Ten participants reported feeling “more prepared to help in a disaster.” Discussion: Few medical schools include disaster preparedness topics in their curricula. This resource provides educational material on a number of disaster preparedness topics for first- and second-year medical students. Educational Objectives By the end of the module, learners will be able to: Apply knowledge of weapons of mass destruction by using patient scenarios to differentiate between biological, chemical, nuclear, and explosive exposures.Define the Incident Command System (ICS), and identify situations in which ICS application would be relevant.Explain the purpose of triage and the simple triage and rapid treatment (START) algorithm, and apply these concepts of triage to patient scenarios. Sign up for the latest publications from MedEdPORTAL Add your email below FILES INCLUDEDReferencesRelatedDetails FILES INCLUDED Included in this publication: Incident Command System Module-Disaster Preparedness.pptx Instructor Guide - Disaster Preparedness.docx Module Evaluation Survey - Disaster Preparedness.docx Pre and Post Test_Questions - Disaster Preparedness.docx Triage Module-Disaster Preparedness.pptx Weapons of Mass Destruction Module - Disaster Preparedness.pptx To view all publication components, extract (i.e., unzip) them from the downloaded .zip file. Download editor’s noteThis publication may contain technology or a display format that is no longer in use. Copyright & Permissions© 2013 Patti and Saks. This is an open-access publication distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike license.KeywordsEMSICSDisaster PreparednessTerrorismWeapons of Mass DestructionTriageModuleBiological/Chemical TerrorismIncident Command SystemEmergency Medical ServicesDisasters Disclosures None to report. Funding/Support None to report. Loading ...