Ateneo - UPO

The course covers the following topics: advanced principles of disaster medicine; basic strategies for managing patients in the context of emergency medicine; scientific research in disasters and humanitarian crises, focusing on methodologies, data collection, objectives, and basic epidemiological concepts; aspects of forensic medicine and bioethical reflections relevant to emergency situations; theoretical and practical knowledge of nursing sciences and technical medical sciences applied to disasters and humanitarian crises.

1. Disaster Medicine - Koening & Schulz 2. Rothman. Epidemiology: An Introduction. Oxford press. 3. World Health Organization. (‎2021)‎. WHO guidance on research methods for health emergency and disaster risk management. World Health Organization. Free download: https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/345591

The objectives include: acquiring an in-depth understanding of advanced medical management in emergencies and disasters; acquiring knowledge of research methodologies applicable in disaster and humanitarian crisis contexts, including the formulation of research objectives and questions, and principles of epidemiological research; knowing the principles of forensic medicine, professional responsibility, ethics, and bioethics; developing basic competencies for nursing management of emergencies and for technical medical management applied to health emergencies and disasters.

Foundational knowledge of disaster medicine acquired during the first-year course.

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 humanitarian health, and be able to demonstrate acquisition of the relevant basic notions of disaster medicine and humanitarian health. To achieve a high grade, students must demonstrate complete mastery of the topics covered.

The programme covers: advanced principles of disaster medicine, including the management of emergencies during mass gatherings, command-and-control functions, surge capacity, and disaster medical planning; research methodologies applicable to disasters and humanitarian crises, including the formulation of research objectives and questions, the collection and synthesis of scientific evidence, the use of qualitative, quantitative, and participatory approaches, literature reviews, and key epidemiological concepts; elements of forensic medicine and professional responsibility; principles of bioethics and professional ethics, informed consent; mandatory medical treatments and confidentiality; issues related to gender-based violence; basic and advanced nursing practices for the management and care of populations affected by disasters or humanitarian crises; effective care and support in emergency and crisis contexts. The gender dimension is considered in the analysis of concepts and in case studies proposed throughout the course.

Knowledge and understanding: a) Understand advanced principles and practices in the context of disaster medicine; b) Know the main research methodologies applicable in disaster and humanitarian crisis contexts, the sources of scientific evidence, and the main epidemiological study designs; c) Know the fundamental principles of forensic medicine and professional responsibility, including aspects related to informed consent and the protection of vulnerable groups; d) Know the general principles of bioethics and professional ethics; e) Know basic nursing practices and models applicable to the management and care of populations affected by disasters or humanitarian crises. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: a) Navigate and effectively orient oneself in emergency and disaster situations, and understand how to support the response process by participating in coordination and collaboration with other entities and organisations; b) Retrieve, select, and critically interpret scientific evidence and formulate research objectives and questions relevant to disaster or humanitarian crisis contexts; calculate and interpret epidemiological measures of frequency and association; c) Apply knowledge of forensic medicine and bioethics to the management of complex professional situations, including the care of vulnerable victims.