EDUCATION. Sahlgrenska University Hospital has recently launched a new training program for physicians in crisis and disaster management. This unique program in Sweden represents a strategic effort to enhance the administration, the region’s, and consequently, society’s ability to handle various types of crises and disasters. The training is closely linked to the Center for Disaster Medicine.
The goal is for participating physicians to acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical skills at strategic, tactical, and operational levels. In collaboration with others, they should also contribute to the total defense’s ability to address preparedness issues, as well as various types of crises and disasters. Creating relevant networks and contacts is also part of this program.
“The training program is connected to our new Center for Disaster Medicine here at the University of Gothenburg. Several members of the center are part of the course leadership and steering group for the training,” says Viktor Glantz, a researcher at the University of Gothenburg and planning leader for preparedness in the Unit for Preparedness & Security Protection at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.
Those involved from the center include researchers Amir Khorram-Manesh and Jonas Zimmerman, both course leaders, Viktor Glanz himself, and Joakim Björås, education manager at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, who is part of the steering group for the training program. Diana Swolin-Eide, Research and Development Manager at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, is also a member of the steering group.
Foundation for future research
Viktor Glanz again:
“We believe that the training will provide a solid foundation for future research within the center. This is partly because practical exercises are well-suited for investigating and studying aspects such as disaster medical leadership, governance, and clinic.”
Together with Jonas Zimmerman, Viktor has recently submitted an application for additional funding for a research project in crisis and preparedness issues.
“The project aims to examine modular surge capacity from a systems-theoretical perspective. It will investigate whether disaster medical leadership, governance, and operational handling of a crisis situation can be explained, refined, and developed based on the principles of systems theory.”
More about the training program
The program is currently aimed at physicians, resident physicians, and specialists at Sahlgrenska University Hospital and runs for approximately 12 months. The program runs concurrently with the physician’s regular duties. The total time the program takes over these months is approximately eight weeks.
“In addition to contributing to the hospital’s, the region’s, and thus society’s ability to handle these types of events, the training will also provide a unique opportunity for participants to broaden their competence and skills in the field of crisis and disaster preparedness. The program will hopefully also contribute to personal development and help create networks related to preparedness, crisis, and disaster medical issues,” says Viktor Glanz.
Read more about the program in Sahlgrenskaliv’s article “New Preparedness Program Underway: ‘Spot-on in Disaster Medicine'” (article in Swedish).
BY: SUSANNE LJ WESTERGREN & SAHLGRENSKALIV
