TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2015//
TI  - Education in disaster management and emergencies: defining a new European course
JO  - Disaster medicine and public health preparedness
A1  - Khorram-Manesh, Amir
A1  - Ashkenazi, Michael
A1  - Djalali, Ahmadreza
A1  - Ingrassia, Pier Luigi
A1  - Friedl, Tom
A1  - von Armin, Gotz
A1  - Lupesco, Olivera
A1  - Kaptan, Kubilay
A1  - Arculeo, Chris
A1  - Hreckovski, Boris
A1  - Komadina, Radko
A1  - Fisher, Philipp
A1  - Voigt, Stefan
A1  - James, James
A1  - Gursky, Elin
SP  - 245
EP  - 255
VL  - 9
IS  - 3
N2  - OBJECTIVE: Unremitting natural disasters, deliberate threats, pandemics, and humanitarian suffering resulting from conflict situations necessitate swift and effective response paradigms. The European Union's (EU) increasing visibility as a disaster response enterprise suggests the need not only for financial contribution but also for instituting a coherent disaster response approach and management structure. The DITAC (Disaster Training Curriculum) project identified deficiencies in current responder training approaches and analyzed the characteristics and content required for a new, standardized European course in disaster management and emergencies. <br><br>METHODS: Over 35 experts from within and outside the EU representing various organizations and specialties involved in disaster management composed the DITAC Consortium. These experts were also organized into 5 specifically tasked working groups. Extensive literature reviews were conducted to identify requirements and deficiencies and to craft a new training concept based on research trends and lessons learned. A pilot course and program dissemination plan was also developed. <br><br>RESULTS: The lack of standardization was repeatedly highlighted as a serious deficiency in current disaster training methods, along with gaps in the command, control, and communication levels. A blended and competency-based teaching approach using exercises combined with lectures was recommended to improve intercultural and interdisciplinary integration. <br><br>CONCLUSION: The goal of a European disaster management course should be to standardize and enhance intercultural and inter-agency performance across the disaster management cycle. A set of minimal standards and evaluation metrics can be achieved through consensus, education, and training in different units. The core of the training initiative will be a unit that presents a realistic situation "scenario-based training." (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;0:1-11).<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1935-7893
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2015.9
ID  - ref1
ER  -