Core Competencies for Pediatric Disaster Medicine: An International Modified Delphi Study

Area of Science:

• Disaster medicine
• Pediatric emergency care
• Public health preparedness

Background:

• Children are uniquely vulnerable during disasters.
• A lack of standardized competencies for pediatric disaster response exists for healthcare providers.
• This gap hinders effective care for children impacted by disasters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish international consensus on core competencies for pediatric disaster response.
• To guide the development of training and preparedness for healthcare professionals.
• To ensure adequate care for pediatric populations during emergencies.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi study involving international disaster medicine experts.
• Utilized a comprehensive scoping review to generate initial competency statements.
• Experts rated statements using a 7-point scale, with consensus defined by standard deviation (SD) ≤ 1.0.

Main Results:

• 57 core competencies achieved consensus across three Delphi rounds.
• Highly ranked competencies included recognizing pediatric vulnerabilities, transport management, identification/tracking, and reunification.
• Decontamination initiation was also identified as a key competency.

Conclusions:

• The 57 consensus-based competencies provide a foundational framework for pediatric disaster medicine.
• These competencies can inform standardized curricula, preparedness strategies, and training requirements.
• They aim to enhance the capacity of healthcare providers to care for children in disaster settings.