Ateneo - UPO

The course covers the following topics: fundamental principles of disaster medicine, including pre-hospital and hospital response, triage, and primary care; introduction to global health, key topics and definitions; governance and health systems; global burden of disease; disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide; climate change and health; floods and their implications for health and healthcare systems; healthcare system sustainability.

Disaster Medicine - Koenig and Schulz Lemery, Knowlton, Sorensen. Global Climate Change and Human Health: From Science to Practice, 2nd Edition. Jossey-Bass. San Francisco. 2021

The objectives include: acquiring knowledge of the fundamental principles of disaster management, the ability to assess critical situations, and preparedness to respond effectively in emergency contexts; understanding the definition and evolution of global health, the key topics of global health, the global burden of disease and the distribution of disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide, the main mechanisms through which climate change affects health and how healthcare systems can develop resilience, and the health implications of floods.

Structure and functions of health system.

The course includes innovative and integrated teaching methods, including lectures, video recordings, and (a)synchronous online activities to apply the knowledge acquired.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities. Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The exam is written and in-person, and consists of a quiz with multiple-choice questions. The final grade is expressed in thirtieths, and to pass the exam, a student must achieve at least 18/30. To pass the exam, students must demonstrate knowledge and understanding of at least the fundamental concepts of the subject. To achieve a passing grade, students must be familiar with the context of disaster and health crisis management, and be able to demonstrate acquisition of the relevant basic notions of disaster and health crisis management. To achieve a high grade, students must demonstrate complete mastery of the topics covered.

The programme covers: definition and classification of disasters, the history and evolution of disaster medicine, fundamental principles of health management in disasters; pre-hospital response: planning and preparedness for pre-hospital emergencies, field command and control structures, rescue and initial stabilisation techniques, communication and coordination among first-response teams; triage: principles and objectives of triage, triage systems and methods (START, SALT, etc.), practical implementation of triage in the field, case studies and practical simulations; hospital response: preparation and planning of healthcare facilities, organisation of emergency departments during a disaster, resource management and hospital logistics, emergency protocols for managing large patient influxes; primary care: the role of primary care in disaster situations, continuity of care for chronic conditions; introduction to global health and main threats, governance and health systems, the global burden of disease, including infectious and non-communicable diseases, accidents, disasters and humanitarian crises, access to care, and vulnerable groups; climate change, extreme weather events and health impacts; floods: health implications and vulnerability management; healthcare system sustainability and strategies for reducing emissions. The gender dimension is considered in the analysis of concepts, in case studies, and in the application of research methodologies proposed throughout the course.

Knowledge and understanding: a) Understand the principles and practices of disaster medicine; b) Know the definition, evolution, and main topics of global health; c) Understand the health implications of climate change. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: a) Assess and respond quickly and effectively in emergency situations; b) Implement triage strategies and victim management; c) Coordinate relief operations with other entities and organisations; d) Distinguish global health from other disciplines; e) Retrieve up-to-date information on the global burden of disease and the distribution of disasters and humanitarian crises; f) Identify the health implications arising from floods.