The Importance of Disaster Medicine
The Importance of Disaster Medicine
Sophie Baldwin, 6/30/24
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Overview
Disaster medicine refers to the medical responses to both natural and man-made disasters, including fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, terrorist attacks, and more. Disaster medicine physicians must first complete four years of an emergency medicine residency, followed by 1-2 years of a disaster medicine fellowship. By the end of their training, disaster medicine specialists should be equipped to properly assess and treat an emergency situation.
Background
Disaster medicine has been evolving since the 1980s. It is a relatively new field of medicine and largely grew following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, when it became clear that there was a need for more medical disaster training. Previously, disaster medicine has followed a military model. This means that it was modeled after the medical response teams in the military. However, it became clear that disaster medicine needed its own procedures due to the demographic differences. The patients in military disasters are usually young, fit men. On the other hand, the patients in many natural disasters can come from all walks of life, including women, children, or the elderly. Disaster medicine teams must triage the situation and never leave the side of a sick or needy patient. It is important for disaster medicine teams to care for all people affected by a disaster and embrace the variability, which is why just one model of care cannot be blanketed.
Qualities of a Good Disaster Medicine Physician
Disaster medicine physicians must be able to work well under pressure and be able to stay calm in a crisis. They must have skills outside of medicine, including knowing how to quickly problem-solve and act in a stressful situation. Much of disaster medicine not only includes the medical care of a patient, but also helping the patient find shelter and food to keep them safe. In addition, disaster medicine physicians must have an understanding of the biological, chemical, or nuclear agents that may be involved in a disaster in order to keep themselves and the patients around them safe.
Hurricane Irma
One example of a disaster medical team response was on September 10, 2017 in Florida. Hurricane Irma was a Category 5 hurricane that damaged much of Florida. During this crisis, multiple federal disaster teams were deployed. Federal disaster teams provide rapid responses by the federal government to disasters. They are made up of doctors, EMTs, nurses, and healthcare specialists. After Hurricane Irma, the Federal Emergency Management Agency deployed over 3100 staff. There were 23 AmeriCorps disaster response teams working alongside organizations such as the American Red Cross. While the Red Cross operationally focused on shelter, safety, and food, many other teams worked to medically help the affected population. These efforts led countless lives saved and demonstrated the importance of a disaster medical team.
Conclusion
Disaster medicine is a growing and important field of medicine. Good disaster medicine physicians must work well under pressure and be able to stay calm during a crisis.
Sources
US News, Disaster Medicine: What Premed Students Should Know
National Library of Medicine, Introduction to Disaster Medicine
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7151765/
FEMA, Hurricane Irma Response and Relief Operations Continue with Full Federal Capability
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