AAP Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council
American Academy of Pediatrics
Suggestions for Important/Critical Educational Topic Areas
Related to Disaster Preparedness
The challenge of dealing with the threat of terrorism, natural disasters, and public health
emergencies is daunting, not only for disaster planners, but also for the medical system.
After Katrina, there were two major deficiencies identified that are of concern to
pediatricians: the inadequacy of existing planning in addressing the unique needs of
children and the need for individual physicians to develop or revise their own personal
and professional disaster plans.
The AAP Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council has identified the following important
and critical educational topic areas:
1. Topic – Disaster Preparedness for Pediatricians in Practice
As part of the network of health responders and as the likely entry site for children into
the emergency care system, pediatricians must be able to answer concerns of families,
prepare their office practice, develop a personal disaster plan, and ensure that the unique
needs of children are addressed in disaster preparedness and planning at all levels.
The session would focus on helping practitioners to develop a customized personal and
professional action plan. Action steps would be addressed and would include:
- Preparing the office
- Compiling necessary medical equipment and supplies
- Understand communication and transportation issues
- Supporting families to develop disaster plans
- How to respond in a disaster situation
Guidance would be offered on a variety of topics that pediatricians should consider in
advance of a disaster, such as power and electricity, medical records and data security,
insurance, and principles of immediate response.
Rationale
The AAP provides several policy statements and resource documents for its members on
these topics, yet many do not know where to start to prepare for a potential disaster.
Sessions have been provided for several years at each AAP National Conference and
Exhibition, and these are typically well-attended. However, a lot of the disaster
preparedness issues that arise are handled at the local, state, or regional levels, so CME
courses that were offered on an ongoing basis in different locations would better meet the
needs of practitioners. In addition, having a presenter or participant present at the session
who had “lived to tell the tale” would be advantageous.
Background Reference
Scott Needle, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician who lived and practiced in Mississippi near the
center of where Hurricane Katrina hit, has prepared an AAP document “A Disaster
Preparedness Plan for Pediatricians: A Work in Progress” that can be used as the basis for
May 2008
AAP Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council
such a talk. See the first resource under “Key Resources” here:
http://www.aap.org/disasters/index.html
2. Topic – The Role of the Pediatrician in Community Disaster Preparedness
As mentioned, pediatricians play a central role in disaster and terrorism preparedness
with families, children, and their communities. There are many ways for pediatricians to
contribute to community and other disaster preparedness efforts, including helping a child
care program or school to develop a disaster plan, getting involved in medical volunteer
programs, or reviewing existing disaster plans to ensure that children’s needs are
addressed during the Planning, Rescue, Response/Recovery, and Mitigation phases of a
disaster. In addition, while increasing their involvement in disaster preparedness
activities, pediatricians will likely connect with individuals who do not have experience
with children or have not had training in pediatric medical or mental health needs.
Pediatricians can play a key role in promoting readiness for children and families through
education and advocacy.
Rationale
There are many AAP resources and opportunities geared toward increasing pediatrician
involvement in community and other “outside of the office” disaster preparedness efforts.
Most AAP members are not aware of available resources or how to get involved. The
AAP initiated a Disaster Preparedness Advisory Council in May 2007, and staff has
identified more than 425 AAP members who have previously attended AAP disaster
preparedness initiatives and/or are interested in getting more involved. This Network
provides a “ready” audience for future educational sessions/CME courses and could serve
to identify AAP members who are already involved and could present on various/relevant
topics.
Background Reference
AAP Committee on Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Committee on Medical Liability, and
Task Force on Terrorism. The pediatrician and disaster preparedness. Pediatrics.
2006;117:560-565 (This is the AAP policy statement; there is also an accompanying
technical report)
Also, see this Web page:
http://www.aap.org/disasters/health-professionals.html
For more information, please contact Laura Aird, MS, Manager, Disaster Preparedness
at laird@aap.org or 847-434-7132.
May 2008