(P2-29) Educational Model for Pre-Hospital Disaster Management in Haiti and Beyond

Abstract

Introduction

There has been increased international awareness and a need to provide accessible and essential emergency preparedness training in developing countries that has resulted in the recognition of new teaching needs and number of new initiatives to meet these needs.

Methods

These teaching methods have been applied in Haiti before and after the 2010 earthquake. They include: - Established a “Train the trainer” model - Established civilian first responder training - Basic Life Support (BLS) and First Aid - Implemented medical training using the Meti Simulator models - Conducted post-training Disaster drill - Conduction of post training assessment - Succession model of training.

Results

A total of 54 people completed a BLS course and 67 completed a First Aid course. 12 participants completed the First Aid and BLS Instructors course. 95 program participants completed an end of course survey. 41 participants had no prior BLS/First Aid training or exposure. The course participants included 2 physicians, 22 students, 8 nursing students, 7 nurses, 20 teachers, 12 health workers, 5 drivers, and 14 laborers. 92 of those surveyed stated they would recommend this course to a friend. 88 participants stated that hands on learning helped them better learn the course material.

Conclusion

This training model has been well received in rural Haiti and can be applied in other developing countries. We would like to standardize training protocols that will serve as a foundation for self-sustaining higher-level emergency, pre-hospital, disaster training and management. This will improve the general quality of health care delivery. Our next pilot of this program will be in other parts of Haiti and in Khartoum, Sudan.