Determining the Training Requirements of Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs) in Iran; A Novel Approach

Background: Empowering and improving the preparedness of DMATs plays a vital role in the effectiveness of the medical relief process. Integrated training of rapid response teams is a significant goal to promote coordination in the response phase. Determining educational requirements is an essential...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mahmood Nekoei-Moghadam, Seyed Mobin Moradi, Gholamreza Khademipour, Mahmood Reza Dehghani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Kerman University of Medical Sciences 2024-02-01
Series:Strides in Development of Medical Education
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Online Access:https://sdme.kmu.ac.ir/article_92613_d94d45eedf3a2c2961d2c9531a4c1057.pdf
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Summary:Background: Empowering and improving the preparedness of DMATs plays a vital role in the effectiveness of the medical relief process. Integrated training of rapid response teams is a significant goal to promote coordination in the response phase. Determining educational requirements is an essential prerequisite for developing educational programs.Objectives: This study was conducted to determine the training requirements of Disaster Medical Assistant Teams (DMATs) in Iran.Methods: This mixed methods study was conducted in 3 steps. In the first step, the roles and duties of DMATs were identified using a narrative review. Then, training requirements were determined using a focused group discussion method. Finally, the three-round Delphi survey was used to finalize the study's findings in the third step.Results: Using a narrative review of the texts from 2428 articles, 15 addressed the roles and duties of DMATs and were included in the study as final texts. The roles and duties of the health, treatment, and support teams, as well as the team managers and seniors, were identified. In the second step, based on expert opinions in FGD, 105 specific and 16 general training requirements were found. The findings of this step were entered into the Delphi for finalization. Finally, the training requirements of DMAT members were determined. These requirements are divided into specific and general requirements.Conclusion: DMATs are an integral part of disaster response operations, and their actions can play a vital role in the success of disaster response. On the other hand, DMAT members usually work individually in healthcare jobs and join each other as a team, depending on emergency conditions. Therefore, they need continuous training to perform their duties. The findings of this study can be a starting point for the training program of DMATs because, in addition to showing the roles and duties of the teams and sub-teams in disasters, it specifies the necessary skills and training requirements of the members.
ISSN:2645-3525
2645-3452