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Characteristics of Medical Teams in Disaster

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 January 2017

David Oldenburger Open the ORCID record for David Oldenburger [Opens in a new window] ,
Andrea Baumann  and
Laura Banfield Open the ORCID record for Laura Banfield [Opens in a new window]
David Oldenburger*
Affiliation:
Global Health Office, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Andrea Baumann
Affiliation:
Global Health Office, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Laura Banfield
Affiliation:
Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
*
Correspondence: David Oldenburger, MSc Global Health Office McMaster University 1380 Main Street West, MDCL 3500 Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8S 4K1 E-mail: oldenbd@mcmaster.ca
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Abstract

Disasters present unique challenges for teams providing medical assistance to those populations impacted by the event. This scoping review focused on the characteristics of medical teams in disaster and how these characteristics are developed. The scoping review methods of Arksey and O’Malley were followed. An inductive thematic analysis of selected articles was used to identify recurrent themes. A total of 6,521 articles were reviewed from eight databases, yielding 33 articles. Four recurrent theme groups were identified: (1) adaptability, flexibility, and improvisation; (2) creativity and innovation; (3) experience and training; and (4) leadership and command structure. The study highlighted key characteristics identified by responders for effective team functioning and interdependence between the characteristics. It also identified the paucity of literature on the subject. Results from the study can help to guide future research and training development for medical teams in disaster.

OldenburgerD, BaumannA, BanfieldL. Characteristics of Medical Teams in Disaster. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(2):195–200.

Keywords

disastershealth care teammass-casualty incidentsrelief work
Type
Comprehensive Reviews
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 32 , Issue 2 , April 2017 , pp. 195 - 200
Copyright
© World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2017 

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Footnotes

Conflicts of interest: none

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