Clinical skill and knowledge requirements of health care providers caring for children in disaster, humanitarian and civic assistance operations: an integrative review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION

Military health care providers (HCPs) have an integral role during disaster, humanitarian, and civic assistance (DHCA) missions. Since 50% of patients seen in these settings are children, military providers must be prepared to deliver this care.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this systematic, integrative review of the literature was to describe the knowledge and clinical skills military health care providers need in order to provide care for pediatric outpatients during DHCA operations.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic search protocol was developed in conjunction with a research librarian. Searches of PubMed and CINAHL were conducted using terms such as Disaster*, Geological Processes, and Military Personnel. Thirty-one articles were included from database and manual searches.

CONCLUSIONS

Infectious diseases, vaccines, malnutrition, sanitation and wound care were among the most frequently mentioned of the 49 themes emerging from the literature. Concepts included endemic, environmental, vector-borne and vaccine-preventable diseases; enhanced pediatric primary care; and skills and knowledge specific to disaster, humanitarian and civic assistance operations.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The information provided is a critical step in developing curriculum specific to caring for children in DHCA. While the focus was military HCPs, the knowledge is easily translated to civilian HCPs who provide care to children in these situations.