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An Internet-based Exercise as a Component of an Overall Training Program Addressing Medical Aspects of Radiation Emergency Management

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 June 2012

Kirsten Levy ,
Richard V. Aghababian ,
Erwin F. Hirsch ,
Domenic Screnci ,
Anna Boshyan ,
Robert C. Ricks  and
Massoud Samiei
Kirsten Levy*
Affiliation:
Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
Richard V. Aghababian
Affiliation:
University of Mass. Medical School, Department of Emergency Medicine, Worcester, Massachusetts
Erwin F. Hirsch
Affiliation:
Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
Domenic Screnci
Affiliation:
Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
Anna Boshyan
Affiliation:
Emergency Scientific Medical Center, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Robert C. Ricks
Affiliation:
REAC/TS, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Massoud Samiei
Affiliation:
International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
*
*Boston University School of Medicine, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA Email: klevyig@bu.edu
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Abstract

The use of ionizing radiation and radioactive materials continues to increase worldwide in industry, medicine, agriculture, research, electrical power generation, and nuclear weaponry. The risk of terrorism using weapons of mass destruction or simple radiological devices also has increased, leading to heightened concerns. Radiation accidents occur as a consequence of errors in transportation ofradionuclides, use of radiation in medical diagnosis and therapy, industrial monitoring and sterilization procedures, and rarely, nuclear power generation. Compared to other industries, a small number of serious radiation accidents have occurred over the last six decades with recent cases in the Republic of Georgia, Peru, Japan, and Thailand. The medical, psychological, and political consequences of such accidents can be considerable. A number of programs designed to train medical responders in the techniques of radiation accident management have been developed and delivered in many countries. The low frequency of serious radiation accidents requires constant re-training, as skills are lost and medical staff turnover occurs. Not all of the training involves drills or exercises in which responders demonstrate learning or communication over the broad spectrum of medical response capabilities. Medical preparedness within the context of a total emergency response program is lacking in many parts of the world, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States. This paper describes an effort to enhance medical preparedness in the context of a total program of international cooperation and conventions facilitated by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The paper concludes that novel application of telecommunications technology as part of a training activity in radiation accident preparedness can help address gaps in training in this field in which preparedness is essential but experience and practical field exercises are lacking.

Keywords

continuing medical educationdisaster planningdistance learningemergency medical servicesradiation accidentsradiation emergency management
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 15 , Issue 2 , June 2000 , pp. 18 - 25
Copyright
Copyright © World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2000

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