What do you Need to Know to Respond to a Disaster? A Review of Competencies and Skills Needed Among Health Professionals

Abstract

Introduction:There is no universal agreement on what competence in disaster medicine is, nor what competences and personal attributes that add value in a medical disaster situation. Some studies suggest that not only technical skills are needed, but also non-technical skills. However, little is known about the actual demands and skills needed to manage a medical disaster situation. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to identify core competencies required for the disaster medicine response.Method:A scoping review using the Arksey & O´Malley framework (1) was used. Structured searchers in the databases PuBMed, CINAHL full plus, Web of Science, PsychInfo and Scopus was conducted. Thereafter, data was structured and analyzed. Inclusion criteria were (1) original papers published in English during the last ten years, (2) covering any aspect of competence or skills needed to respond to a disaster situation. (3) Both qualitative and quantitative studies were included. Exclusion criteria were (1) reviews, editorial texts or similar, (2) papers focusing on the care of single patients.(1) Arksey H, O’Malley L. Scoping Studies: Towards a methodological framework. Int. J. Social Research Methodology. 2005;8(1):19-32.Results:To be presented at the congress.Conclusion:To be presented at the congress.