Comparison of Disaster Medical Assistant Team Training Before and After Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Era

To understand the possible impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) on DMAT training, we reviewed the training programs of 2 national and 10 local DMATs before and after SARS era. The requirements included (1) health needs assessment; (2) health surveillance; (3) medical care personnel; (4) medical equipment and supplies; (5) patient evacuation; (6) public health information; (7) vector control; (8) wastewater and solid waste disposal; (9) in-hospital care; (10) food/drug/ medical device safety; (11) worker health and safety; (12) potable water; (13) mental health care; (14) victim identification/mortuary services; (15) veterinary services; (16) radiological/chemical/ biologic hazard consultation; and new categories such as (1) understanding of biotechnology; (2) identification of a biological event, including surveillance system, environmental detection and laboratory diagnostics; (3) prophylaxis, post-exposure measures, and treatments; (4) system preparedness such as media and public education, communication and legislative activity; and (5) new development such as cytokines and pre-clinical diagnostics, antimicrobial use and immunomodulators. The average categories included in national DMATs training were significantly higher than those of local DMATs (14.5+0.5 vs. 11.0+2.0, P<0.05). However, the national DMATs have not updated their programs after SARS, whereas most of local DMATs have revised their training programs (14.5+0.5 vs. 14.0+1.0, P=NS). There were also more emphasis on radiological/chemical/biologic hazard consultation (9/10 local DMATs) and veterinary services (8/10 DMATs). Neither the national DMATs nor local DMATs have updated their education to fulfill the 5 new requirements. This study demonstrates that there is no major revising of training programs for DMATs, especially for national DMATs. Iit still needs more improvements in promoting the education/training for DMATs in Taiwan. The continuous education/training programs such as NBC (nuclear, biological and chemical) training may provide resolution for this problem.(Ann Disaster Med. 2004;3:46-51)