Issues in Disasters for Health Professionals

I was invited to deliver a presentation to the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Disaster Response Service in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. This presentation outlines various issues for health professionals – particularly nurses and midwives – in disaster health. The presentation included discussions relating to:

• Willingness
• Ability
• Resources
• Role
• Volunteering

However, the focus of the presentation was on disaster education for health professionals. Highlighting the mismatch between what is taught, educated and trained versus what happens in the realities in disaster health.

Video Part 1:
This part of the presentation provides an overview of my background. Additionally, it introduces the presentation and covers the following topics:
- Definition of disasters
- Overview of Australian disasters
- Overview of disasters Australia has been involved with within the region
- Willingness of nurses to assist in disasters
- Ability of nurses to assist in disasters

Video Part 2:
This part of the presentation focuses on education. It provides an overview of a number of studies relating to education for Australian nurses. In particular, this part of the presentation provides an overview of education in:
- Undergraduate programs
- In-service type programs
- Postgraduate tertiary programs
- Other programs (such as MIMMS)
- Competencies for nurses and midwives
- Educational preparedness
Additionally, this part of the presentation outlines aspects of disaster resources for nurses.

Video Part 3:
This part of the presentation focuses on:
- The role of nurses during disasters
- Employer entitlements
- Volunteering
- Who to deploy with (and who not to deploy with)

Video Part 4:
This clip is after the completion of the presentation. Participants were encouraged to generate discussion regarding the presentation content. Some discussion included:
- Social media for health professionals
- Specialties in disaster response and recovery (such as midwifery and renal specialties)
- More discussion about roles and responsibilities (who is going to set-up your decontamination shower?)


Ranse J. (2011). Issues in disasters for health professionals; Guest speaker for the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Disaster Response Service, Brisbane, Queensland, 10th August.