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Three Decades of Disasters: A Review of Disaster-Specific Literature from 1977–2009

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Erin Smith ,
Jason Wasiak ,
Ayan Sen ,
Frank Archer  and
Frederick M. Burkle Jr
Erin Smith*
Affiliation:
1Senior Lecturer, Monash University, Department of Community Emergency, Health and Paramedic Practice, Melbourne, Australia
Jason Wasiak
Affiliation:
2Research Fellow, Monash University, Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice, Melbourne, Australia
Ayan Sen
Affiliation:
3Resident, Department of Emergency Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan USA
Frank Archer
Affiliation:
4Department Head, Monash University, Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice, Melbourne, Australia
Frederick M. Burkle Jr
Affiliation:
5Senior Fellow, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, Harvard School of Public Health,Cambridge, Massachusetts USA 6Professor, Monash University, Department of Community Emergency Health and Paramedic Practice, Melbourne, Australia
*
Monash UniversityDepartment of Community EmergencyHealth and Paramedic PracticeBuilding H, Peninsula CampusFrankston, VictoriaAustralia E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Introduction:

The potential for disasters exists in all communities. To mitigate the potential catastrophes that confront humanity in the new millennium, an evidence-based approach to disaster management is required urgently. This study moves toward such an evidence-based approach by identifying peer-reviewed publications following a range of disasters and events over the past three decades.

Methods:

Peer-reviewed, event-specific literature was identified using a comprehensive search of the electronically indexed database, MEDLINE (1956–January 2009). An extended comprehensive search was conducted for one event to compare the event-specific literature indexed in MEDLINE to other electronic databases (EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, CENTRAL, Psych Info, Maternity and Infant Care, EBM Reviews).

Results:

Following 25 individual disasters or overwhelming crises, a total of 2,098 peer-reviewed, event-specific publications were published in 789 journals (652 publications following disasters/events caused by natural hazards, 966 following human-made/technological disasters/events, and 480 following conflict/complex humanitarian events).The event with the greatest number of peer-reviewed, event-specific publications was the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks (686 publications). Prehospital and Disaster Medicine published the greatest number of peer-reviewed, event-specific publications (54), followed by Journal of Traumatic Stress (42), Military Medicine (40), and Psychiatric Services (40). The primary topics of event-specific publications were mental health, medical health, and response. When an extended, comprehensive search was conducted for one event, 75% of all peer-reviewed, event-specific publications were indexed in MEDLINE.

Conclusions:

A broad range of multi-disciplinary journals publish peer-reviewed, event-specific publications. While the majority of peer-reviewed, event-specific literature is indexed in MEDLINE, comprehensive search strategies should include EMBASE to increase yield.

Keywords

databasedisasterevidence-based practiceliterature reviewpeer review
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 24 , Issue 4 , August 2009 , pp. 306 - 311
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2009

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