EDUCATION. A new emergency preparedness course developed under the guidance of researchers at Sahlgrenska Academy is now spreading beyond Sweden. The training program is being implemented in Ukraine with support from the EU, and it has also been well received in the United States.
Development of the training program has been led by Associate Professor Amir Khorram-Manesh at the Prehospital and Disaster Medicine Centre (PKMC) in Gothenburg, and has involved researchers in several European countries. The need for a new, standardized European course in management of disasters and emergencies was identified by an EU project that began four years ago.
“The new training program is primarily provided as a distance learning course. In addition to seminars, the program uses two validated exercises to simulate crisis management and cooperation between various organisations and between different levels,” says Amir Khorram-Manesh.
Unique Simulations
To this point, only a selection of the course has been offered with practical aspects. Among other things, a new simulation model is used for interactive training of medical response to major emergencies and disasters called the Mass Casualty Simulation (Macsim). Macsim has been used in a doctoral thesis defended at the University of Gothenburg and PKMC has contributed to developing the system. The other validated simulation is called 3LC table-top, which is based on a management-level role play with various realistic scenarios.
In September 2017, the new program will be offered in its entirety for the first time.
“This is about providing a standardized training program that provides all the basic knowledge and skills to be able to cooperate with other stakeholders. If everyone involved nationally, such as the police, rescue services and medical care services, know each other’s capabilities and limitations, have a joint protocol and understand each other, then it becomes obvious to everyone that disaster response will work much better,” says Amir Khorram-Manesh.
Participants also practice their communication skills, both physically and mentally.
Ukraine Becomes First Recipient
The program is beginning to gain international attention. When Amir Khorram-Manesh recently presented it to the US Emergency Medical Association, he was immediately invited to give workshops next year.
The training program is now being implemented in Ukraine with support from the EU. “This is really gratifying, partly because it confirms the value of our efforts and partly because a country with immense need is gaining access to it.”
In practical terms, how will the program be applied in Ukraine?
“The material will be in English and the idea is that we should have an international training program there and from it will spread further. As a first step, we have already trained some instructors and teachers, and will train more during 2017.”
Several other countries have expressed interest in the program, including Iran, Egypt, China, and Thailand.
In a new project, PKMC and Amir Khorram-Manesh will use the simulation model to teach emergency preparedness to school students aged 14-18. This new project provides an opportunity for young people to develop knowledge and understanding through play. The researchers hope to receive regional funds to finance the project.
“This is a unique project, and given what has happened in schools here in Sweden and around the world, it is absolutely necessary,” says Amir Khorram-Manesh.
