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. 2006 Mar 20:6:19.
doi: 10.1186/1472-6920-6-19.

Healthcare worker competencies for disaster training

Edbert B Hsu  1 , Tamara L Thomas, Eric B Bass, Dianne Whyne, Gabor D Kelen, Gary B Green
Affiliations

Healthcare worker competencies for disaster training

Edbert B Hsu et al. BMC Med Educ. .

Abstract

Background: Although training and education have long been accepted as integral to disaster preparedness, many currently taught practices are neither evidence-based nor standardized. The need for effective evidence-based disaster training of healthcare staff at all levels, including the development of standards and guidelines for training in the multi-disciplinary health response to major events, has been designated by the disaster response community as a high priority. We describe the application of systematic evidence-based consensus building methods to derive educational competencies and objectives in criteria-based preparedness and response relevant to all hospital healthcare workers.

Methods: The conceptual development of cross-cutting competencies incorporated current evidence through a systematic consensus building process with the following steps: (1) review of peer-reviewed literature on relevant content areas and educational theory; (2) structured review of existing competencies, national level courses and published training objectives; (3) synthesis of new cross-cutting competencies; (4) expert panel review; (5) refinement of new competencies and; (6) development of testable terminal objectives for each competency using similar processes covering requisite knowledge, attitudes, and skills.

Results: Seven cross-cutting competencies were developed: (1) Recognize a potential critical event and implement initial actions; (2) Apply the principles of critical event management; (3) Demonstrate critical event safety principles; (4) Understand the institutional emergency operations plan; (5) Demonstrate effective critical event communications; (6) Understand the incident command system and your role in it; (7) Demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to fulfill your role during a critical event. For each of the cross-cutting competencies, comprehensive terminal objectives are described.

Conclusion: Cross-cutting competencies and objectives developed through a systematic evidence-based consensus building approach may serve as a foundation for future hospital healthcare worker training and education in disaster preparedness and response.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cross-cutting competencies for healthcare workers.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Development of cross-cutting competencies.
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References

    1. United States Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense Medical Management of Chemical and Biological Casualties Course https://ccc.apgea.army.mil/courses/in_house/brochureMCBC.htm Accessed on May 14, 2004.
    1. American Medical Association National Disaster Life Support (NDLS) http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/12606.html Accessed on May 14, 2004.
    1. Advanced HAZMAT Life Support (AHLS) http://www.ahls.org Accessed on May 14, 2004.
    1. Centers for Disease Control http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/training Accessed on June 30, 2004.
    1. Hsu EB, Jenckes MW, Catlett CL, Robinson KA, Feuerstein CJ, Cosgrove SE, Green G, Guedelhofer OC, Bass EB. "Training of Hospital Staff to Respond to a Mass Casualty Incident" Evidence Report/ Technology Assessment Number 95. (Prepared by the JHU EPC under Contract No. 290-02-0018) AHRQ Publication No 04-E015- Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2004.

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