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Pediatric Practice Readiness for Disaster Response

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 April 2020

Scott Needle ,
Andrew C. Rucks ,
Lauren A. Wallace ,
Peter M. Ginter ,
Charles R. Katholi  and
Rongbing Xie
Scott Needle
Affiliation:
Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida
Andrew C. Rucks
Affiliation:
Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Lauren A. Wallace*
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Health and Human Services, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Peter M. Ginter
Affiliation:
Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Charles R. Katholi
Affiliation:
Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Rongbing Xie
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Lauren A. Wallace, DrPH, Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Health and Human Services, CHHS 427D, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC28223-0001 (e-mail: lauren.wallace@uncc.edu).
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Abstract

Objectives:

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) calls for the inclusion of office-based pediatricians in disaster preparedness and response efforts. However, there is little research about disaster preparedness and response on the part of pediatric practices. This study describes the readiness of pediatric practices to respond to disaster and delineates factors associated with increased preparedness.

Methods:

An AAP survey was distributed to members to assess the state of pediatric offices in readiness for disaster. Potential predictor variables used in chi-square analysis included community setting, primary employment setting, area of practice, and previous disaster experience.

Results:

Three-quarters (74%) of respondents reported some degree of disaster preparedness (measured by 6 indicators including written plans and maintaining stocks of supplies), and approximately half (54%) reported response experience (measured by 3 indicators, including volunteering to serve in disaster areas). Respondents who reported disaster preparation efforts were more likely to have signed up for disaster response efforts, and vice versa.

Conclusions:

These results contribute information about the state of pediatric physician offices and can aid in developing strategies for augmenting the inclusion of office-based pediatricians in community preparedness and response efforts.

Keywords

disaster medicinedisaster planningpublic health practicepublic health surveillancepublic policy
Type
Brief Report
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 15 , Issue 3 , June 2021 , pp. 277 - 281
Copyright
Copyright © 2020 Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

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References

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