Citation

Gouda P, Kirk A, Sweeney AM, O'Donovan D. Disaster Med. Public Health Prep. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

School of Public Health, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Publisher Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/dmp.2019.81

PMID

31475653

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: With the rising incidence of health care emergencies, there has been a considerable burden placed on health care systems worldwide. We aimed to determine the willingness and capacity of medical students in Ireland to volunteer during health care emergencies.

METHODS: An online, cross-sectional survey of medical students at the National University of Ireland was conducted in 2015.

RESULTS: Respondents totaling 274 completed the survey (response rate - 30.1%). Of participants, 69.0% were willing to volunteer in the event of a natural disaster and 59.1% in an event of an infectious epidemic, with altruism being the strongest motivational factor. Only a minority of students (23.7%) felt their current skill level would be useful in an emergency setting.

CONCLUSIONS: Medical students express a strong interest in actively participating during health care emergencies.

Language: en

Keywords

disaster medicine; medical education; medical students