Assessment of disaster training needs for physicians and other health professionals serving vulnerable populations in Hawai`i

Problem: Hawaii's geographic isolation requires that local health workers know how to prepare residents for and respond to natural disasters. Out of Hawaii's 1.2 million residents, more than 300,000 people can be considered vulnerable, including the elderly and disabled, people with limited English proficiency, pregnant and lactating women, infants, and children.

Purpose: To identify, through a multi-method needs assessment, disaster-related needs of selected vulnerable populations, as well as training needs of health professionals who will assist them during a natural disaster.

Method: Based on findings from a literature review, key informant interviews, and focus group, an online survey was designed. Responses were received from 183 (63%) of those receiving surveys.

Findings: Out of 183 participants, 63% had completed basic disaster training. However, only 47% of those responding to the online survey could identify the role of their agency, and only 37% could specify their own role in the event of a disaster. Less than 60% had confidence in their abilities to assist these vulnerable populations. 96% agreed that being trained for natural disaster preparedness was important, 89% were willing to attend trainings, and 84% wanted to learn how to assist these vulnerable populations. Half saw continuing education credits as an incentive to training.

Implications: Findings suggest that Hawaii's health workforce desires and needs more training to adequately prepare for and assist vulnerable population in a natural disaster. This project presents a good model for assessing needs for continuing education in public health.