The importance and beneficial effects of national medical rescue team (UMKE) disaster training and disaster medicine training in disasters: The case of the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes

AİM: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of disaster medicine training on healthcare professionals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted with the participation of 135 healthcare professionals who were involved in the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. Data collection tools included a socio-demographic information form, a specially designed questionnaire, and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Scale-Self Assessment (PTS-SR). The effects of prior UMKE (National Medical Rescue Team) or disaster medicine training on interventions during the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes were investigated. Statistical analyses were performed, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Among the participants, 68.9% were male and 31.1% were female, with an average professional experience of 24.98±10.42 years. As professional experience increased, the rate of performing emergency medical interventions under debris also increased (p<0.05). Of the participants who received UMKE or disaster medicine training, 93.8% reported that the training was highly beneficial during disaster response, 81.3% stated that it helped save lives, 83.3% mentioned that it facilitated better teamwork with other disaster workers, and 89.6% felt mentally more prepared as a result of the training. The most common medical intervention during the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes was IV therapy, constituting 22.75% of all interventions. Women had higher PTSD hyperarousal symptom scores compared to men (p<0.05). Nurses had higher re-experiencing symptom scores compared to other groups (p<0.05). Those who received training had higher hyperarousal symptom scores compared to those who did not receive training (p<0.05). Additionally, those who worked in UMKE roles had higher average PTSD scores compared to those in other roles. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that disaster medicine training significantly contributed to participants' emergency medical interventions, mental preparedness, and teamwork with other teams. It is recommended that such training be provided in all health schools, and that healthcare professionals receive this training post-graduation. Moreover, it was emphasized that psychosocial support programs should be more prominently included in disaster medicine training to address the high likelihood of PTSD among healthcare professionals working in the field.