Multidisciplinary Team Response to Support Survivors of Mass Casualty Disasters: A Systematic Review Protocol

Abstract

Review Question What is the effectiveness of multidisciplinary team response to mass casualty disasters upon the resolution of immediate needs and the support perceived by survivors of mass casualty disasters? The objectives of this review are to identify the effectiveness of multidisciplinary team response on; 1) the resolution of immediate needs, and; 2) the support perceived among survivors of mass casualty disasters. Inclusion Criteria Types of Participants This review will consider studies that include survivors of mass casualty disasters. Survivors of all ages and in all settings will be included. Types of Intervention(s) This review will consider studies that evaluate the effectiveness of multidisciplinary response teams focused on the well-being of survivors of mass casualty disasters. Types of Outcome This review will consider studies that include the following outcome measures: 1) the resolution of immediate needs and/or 2) the support perceived among survivors of mass casualty disasters. For clarity of outcomes measurements in the review we present the following explanations: The resolution of immediate needs refers to maintenance of health, prevention of psychopathologic outcomes, normalization of reactions, increased coping skills, and reducing stigma of help-seeking behavior. The support perceived refers to the degree to which encounters with the team achieved resolution of immediate needs. Disaster literature tends to describe outcomes in varied manners rather than consistent measurements. Because of this, it may be necessary to translate outcomes in any study into a dichotomous (“yes” or “no”) scale. While this approach is not ideal, it may be the only way to move forward with this particular topic. The authors believe that the importance of synthesizing any available evidence on this topic warrants this approach.