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What do They Know? Guidelines and Knowledge Translation for Foreign Health Sector Workers Following Natural Disasters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 February 2018

Ola Dunin-Bell
Ola Dunin-Bell*
Affiliation:
McMaster University, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
*
Correspondence: Ola Dunin-Bell, MSc, MD, FRCSC McMaster University Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine Hamilton, Ontario, Canada E-mail: oladuninbell@me.com
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Abstract

Introduction

The incidence of natural disasters is increasing worldwide, with countries the least well-equipped to mitigate or manage them suffering the greatest losses. Following natural disasters, ill-prepared foreign responders may become a burden to the affected population, or cause harm to those needing help.

Problem

The study was performed to determine if international guidelines for foreign workers in the health sector exist, and evidence of their implementation.

Methods

A structured literature search was used to identify guidelines for foreign health workers (FHWs) responding to natural disasters. Analysis of semi-structured interviews of health sector responders to the 2015 Nepal earthquake was then performed, looking at preparation and field activities.

Results

No guidelines were identified to address the appropriate qualifications of, and preparations for, international individuals participating in disaster response in the health sector. Interviews indicated individuals choosing to work with experienced organizations received training prior to disaster deployment and described activities in the field consistent with general humanitarian principles. Participants in an ad hoc team (AHT) did not.

Conclusions

In spite of need, there is a lack of published guidelines for potential international health sector responders to natural disasters. Learning about disaster response may occur only after joining a team.

Dunin-BellO. What do They Know? Guidelines and Knowledge Translation for Foreign Health Sector Workers Following Natural Disasters. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(2):139–146.

Keywords

disaster medicineforeign health workernatural disasterNepal earthquakerelief work
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 33 , Issue 2 , April 2018 , pp. 139 - 146
Copyright
© World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2018 

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Footnotes

Conflicts of interest: none

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