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Education and Training of Australian Disaster Medical Assistance Team Members: Results of a National Survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 March 2011

Peter Aitken ,
Peter A. Leggat ,
Andrew G. Robertson ,
Hazel Harley ,
Richard Speare  and
Muriel G. Leclercq
Peter Aitken
Affiliation:
James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland Australia The Townsville Hospital, Townsville, Queensland Australia
Peter A. Leggat*
Affiliation:
The Townsville Hospital, Townsville, Queensland Australia
Andrew G. Robertson
Affiliation:
James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland Australia Department of Health, Perth, Western Australia Australia
Hazel Harley
Affiliation:
James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland Australia Consultant, Perth, Western Australia, Australia, and Formerly Department of Health, Perth, Western Australia Australia
Richard Speare
Affiliation:
James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland Australia
Muriel G. Leclercq
Affiliation:
James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland Australia Department of Health, Perth, Western Australia Australia
*
Correspondence: Professor Peter A. Leggat Deputy Head, School of Public Health Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation SciencesJames Cook UniversityTownsville, Queensland 4811Australia. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Introduction: Calls for disaster medical assistance teams (DMATs) are likely to continue in response to international disasters.

Objective: As part of a national survey, the present study was designed to evaluate the education and training of Australian DMATs.

Methods: Data were collected via an anonymous, mailed survey distributed via State and Territory representatives on the Australian Health Protection Committee, who identified team members associated with Australian DMAT deployments from the 2004 Southeast Asia tsunami disaster.

Results: The response rate for this survey was 50% (59/118). Most of the personnel had deployed to the tsunami-affected areas. The DMAT members were quite experienced, with 53% of personnel in the 45–55-year age group (31/59). Seventy-six percent of the respondents were male (44/58). While most respondents had not participated in any specific training or educational program, any kind of relevant training was regarded as important in preparing personnel for deployment. The majority of respondents had experience in disasters, ranging from hypothetical exercises (58%, 34/59) to actual military (41%, 24/49) and non-governmental organization (32%, 19/59) deployments. Only 27% of respondents felt that existing training programs had adequately prepared them for deployment. Thirty-four percent of respondents (20/59) indicated that they had not received cultural awareness training prior to deployment, and 42% (25/59) received no communication equipment training. Most respondents felt that DMAT members needed to be able to handle practical aspects of deployments, such as training as a team (68%, 40/59), use of communications equipment (93%, 55/59), ability to erect tents/shelters (90%, 53/59), and use of water purification equipment (86%, 51/59). Most respondents (85%, 50/59) felt leadership training was essential for DMAT commanders. Most (88%, 52/59) agreed that teams need to be adequately trained prior to deployment, and that a specific DMAT training program should be developed (86%, 51/59).

Conclusions: This study of Australian DMAT members suggests that more emphasis should be placed on the education and training. Prior planning is required to ensure the success of DMAT deployments and training should include practical aspects of deployment. Leadership training was seen as essential for DMAT commanders, as was team-based training. While any kind of relevant training was regarded as important for preparing personnel for deployment, Australian DMAT members, who generally are a highly experienced group of health professionals, have identified the need for specific DMAT training.

Keywords

Australiadisaster medical assistance teamsSoutheast Asiaeducationtraining
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 26 , Issue 1 , February 2011 , pp. 41 - 48
Copyright
Copyright Aitken © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2011

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