Enhancing global disaster preparedness: A scoping review of the current integration of situational awareness and disaster mindset in healthcare education

Amir Khorram-Manesh; Gulcan Taskiran Eskici; Lesley Gray; Amir Khorram-Manesh; Gulcan Taskiran Eskici; Lesley Gray

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2025038

AIMS Public Health

2025, Volume 12, Issue 3: 735-766. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2025038

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Review Special Issues

Enhancing global disaster preparedness: A scoping review of the current integration of situational awareness and disaster mindset in healthcare education

1.
Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
2.
Center for Disaster Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
3.
Gothenburg Emergency Medicine Research Group (GEMREG), Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
4.
Department of Nursing Administration, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ondokuz Mayis University, 57270, Samsun, Türkiye
5.
Department of Primary Health Care & General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of Otago, 6242, Wellington, New Zealand

Received: 21 May 2025 Revised: 30 June 2025 Accepted: 09 July 2025 Published: 05 August 2025

Current disaster medicine programs and simulation exercises often fail to adequately incorporate crucial elements such as situational awareness and a disaster mindset. This gap in training can significantly impact the effectiveness of healthcare professionals' responses during real-world disasters and public health emergencies. In this review, we examined the literature to explore the critical role of situational awareness and a disaster mindset in enhancing healthcare provider preparedness for disaster events, proposing the integration of innovative technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality, to create immersive simulations that foster situational awareness and a resilient disaster mindset. Addressing this educational gap will improve healthcare professionals' confidence and optimize patient outcomes during crises.
- disaster,
- disaster medicine,
- education,
- mindset,
- program,
- situational awareness,
- healthcare professionals
Citation: Amir Khorram-Manesh, Gulcan Taskiran Eskici, Lesley Gray. Enhancing global disaster preparedness: A scoping review of the current integration of situational awareness and disaster mindset in healthcare education[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2025, 12(3): 735-766. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2025038

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Abstract

Current disaster medicine programs and simulation exercises often fail to adequately incorporate crucial elements such as situational awareness and a disaster mindset. This gap in training can significantly impact the effectiveness of healthcare professionals' responses during real-world disasters and public health emergencies. In this review, we examined the literature to explore the critical role of situational awareness and a disaster mindset in enhancing healthcare provider preparedness for disaster events, proposing the integration of innovative technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality, to create immersive simulations that foster situational awareness and a resilient disaster mindset. Addressing this educational gap will improve healthcare professionals' confidence and optimize patient outcomes during crises.

Authors' contributions

A K-M Conceptualized the paper and searched. All authors Reviewed the search results and selected the included papers. A K-M wrote the first draft. All authors edited and improved the paper and approved the final version to be submitted to AIMS Public Health.

Conflict of interest

Amir Khorram-Manesh, Gulcan Taskiran Eskici and Lesley Gray are guest editors of AIMS Public Health Special Issue. They were not involved in the editorial review or the decision to publish this article. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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