Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Setting Up a Stroke Team Algorithm and Conducting Simulation-based Training in the Emergency Department - A Practical Guide
Published on: January 15, 2017
Educating first responders to provide emergency services to individuals with disabilities
Susan B Wolf-Fordham1, Janet S Twyman1, Charles D Hamad1
1University of Massachusetts Medical School,E.K. Shriver Center,Charlestown,Massachusetts.
Objective:
Individuals with disabilities experience more negative outcomes due to natural and manmade disasters and emergencies than do people without disabilities. This vulnerability appears to be due in part to knowledge gaps among public health and safety emergency planning and response personnel (responders). We assessed the effectiveness of an online program to increase emergency responder knowledge about emergency planning and response for individuals with disabilities.
Methods:
Researchers developed an online course designed to teach public health, emergency planning and management, and other first response personnel about appropriate, efficient, and equitable emergency planning, response, interaction, and communication with children and adults with disabilities before, during, and after disasters or emergencies. Course features included an ongoing storyline, exercises embedded in the form of real-life scenarios, and game-like features such as points and timed segments.
Results:
Evaluation measures indicated significant pre- to post-test gains in learner knowledge and simulated applied skills.
Conclusion:
An online program using scenarios and simulations is an effective way to make disability-related training available to a wide variety of emergency responders across geographically disparate areas.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation III: AED Use
Bystander Effect
Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation I: Adult
Standards of Care I
Applications of GIS: Disaster Management and Emergency Response

