Anesthesiologists' Preparedness and Training Needs in Disaster Management: A Mixed-Methods Study from a...

Area of Science:

• Disaster medicine
• Healthcare management
• Anesthesiology

Background:

• Mass casualty events (MCEs) pose unique challenges in resource-limited settings.
• Hospital disaster planning and response effectiveness are critical for mitigating MCE impact.
• Anesthesiologists play a vital role in emergency response during catastrophic disasters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate anesthesiologists' preparedness for mass casualty events.
• To identify training needs for anesthesiologists in resource-limited disaster scenarios.
• To assess hospital disaster planning and response effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory mixed-methods design combining qualitative and quantitative approaches.
• Interviews with anesthesiologists involved in emergency response.
• Surveys administered to anesthesiologists participating in disaster response.

Main Results:

• Significant gaps identified in hospital disaster preparedness, including infrastructure, resources, and planning involvement.
• Anesthesiologists showed adaptability and commitment despite inadequate training and limited disaster management frameworks.
• Urgent need for standardized disaster preparedness plans, multidisciplinary training, and psychological support for healthcare professionals.

Conclusions:

• Critical deficiencies exist in hospital disaster preparedness and anesthesiologists' emergency response training.
• Robust disaster planning, simulation-based education, and institutional support are essential.
• Enhancing health care system resilience is vital in resource-limited and conflict-affected regions.