The development of Health EDRM workforce is critical for all phases of disasters. While effort has been made in defining roles and responsibilities, significant gaps in the evidence base for effective workforce development strategies remain. These gaps require continued investment in research and capacity building to support the development of a skilled, resilient, and adaptable health workforce that can respond effectively to emergencies and disasters. By sharing knowledge and best practices, we can work together to ensure that the health workforce is prepared to meet the challenges of the future and protect the health and well-being of communities worldwide.
- Health EDRM workforce’s definition and to characterise the profile and scope of groups that constitute Health EDRM workforce. [ref]
- Evaluation and monitoring of Health EDRM workforce development strategies [ref]
1. Strengthening health systems and community-based disaster resilience [1]
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Need for research on enhancing health systems' safety, sustainability, and security.
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Importance of protecting critical community assets and infrastructure during disasters.
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Lack of evidence on community-based disaster resilience interventions and trials.
2. Health workforce development [2]
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Incomplete understanding of knowledge and competencies required for Health EDRM
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Need for comprehensive training programs and professional development for the workforce.
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Challenges in retaining, motivating, and effectively utilizing trained personnel.
3. Practical adaptation of international standards [3]
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Insufficient research on adapting international standards to local contexts.
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Practical implementation research required for effective disaster response in diverse settings.
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Ensuring international standards are relevant and applicable in specific countries.
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Evaluation and monitoring of Health EDRM workforce development strategies.
4. Profile and scope of Workforce groups [4]
- Health EDRM workforce’s definition and to characterise the profile and scope of groups that constitute Health EDRM workforce.
Reference
[1] Chan EYY, Murray V. What are the health research needs for the Sendai Framework. Lancet. 2017;390:e35–e36. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31670-7.
[2] Kayano R, Chan EY, Murray V, Abrahams J, Barber SL. WHO Thematic Platform for Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management Research Network (TPRN): Report of the Kobe Expert Meeting. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019; 16(7):E1232. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16071232.
[3] Kubo T, Tanasan A, Herbosa T, Buddh N, Fernando F, Kayano R. Health Data Collection Before, During and After Emergencies and Disasters-The Result of the Kobe Expert Meeting. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019; 16(5):E893. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16050893.
[4] Hung KKC, Mashino S, Chan EYY, MacDermot MK, Balsari S, Ciottone GR, Della Corte F, Dell'Aringa MF, Egawa S, Evio BD, Hart A, Hu H, Ishii T, Ragazzoni L, Sasaki H, Walline JH, Wong CS, Bhattarai HK, Dalal S, Kayano R, Abrahams J, Graham CA. Health Workforce Development in Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management: The Need for Evidence-Based Recommendations. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Mar 24;18(7):3382. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18073382. PMID: 33805225; PMCID: PMC8037083.