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Basic Disaster Life Support (BDLS) Training Improves First Responder Confidence to Face Mass-Casualty Incidents in Thailand

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2017

Deborah A. Kuhls ,
Paul J. Chestovich ,
Phillip Coule ,
Dale M. Carrison ,
Charleston M. Chua ,
Nopadol Wora-Urai  and
Tavatchai Kanchanarin
Deborah A. Kuhls*
Affiliation:
University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada USA
Paul J. Chestovich
Affiliation:
University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada USA
Phillip Coule
Affiliation:
Georgia Regents Health System, Augusta, Georgia USA
Dale M. Carrison
Affiliation:
University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada USA
Charleston M. Chua
Affiliation:
University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, Nevada USA
Nopadol Wora-Urai
Affiliation:
Mae Fah Luang University School of Medicine, Chiang Rai, Thailand
Tavatchai Kanchanarin
Affiliation:
Phramngkutklao Hospital and College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
*
Correspondence: Deborah A. Kuhls, MD Department of Surgery, Division of Acute Care Surgery University of Nevada School of Medicine 1701 West Charleston Blvd, Suite 400 Las Vegas, Nevada 89102 USA E-mail: dkuhls@medicine.nevada.edu.
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Abstract

Background

Medical response to mass-casualty incidents (MCIs) requires specialized training and preparation. Basic Disaster Life Support (BDLS) is a course designed to prepare health care workers for a MCI. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the confidence of health care professionals in Thailand to face a MCI after participating in a BDLS course.

Methods

Basic Disaster Life Support was taught to health care professionals in Thailand in July 2008. Demographics and medical experience were recorded, and participants rated their confidence before and after the course using a five-point Likert scale in 11 pertinent MCI categories. Survey results were compiled and compared with P<.05 statistically significant.

Results

A total of 162 health care professionals completed the BDLS course and surveys, including 78 physicians, 70 nurses, and 14 other health care professionals. Combined confidence increased among all participants (2.1 to 3.8; +1.7; P<.001). Each occupation scored confidence increases in each measured area (P<.001). Nurses had significantly lower pre-course confidence but greater confidence increase, while physicians had higher pre-course confidence but lower confidence increase. Active duty military also had lower pre-course confidence with significantly greater confidence increases, while previous disaster courses or experience increased pre-course confidence but lower increase in confidence. Age and work experience did not influence confidence.

Conclusion

Basic Disaster Life Support significantly improves confidence to respond to MCI situations, but nurses and active duty military benefit the most from the course. Future courses should focus on these groups to prepare for MCIs.

Kuhls DA , Chestovich PJ , Coule P , Carrison DM , Chua CM , Wora-Urai N , Kanchanarin T . Basic Disaster Life Support (BDLS) Training Improves First Responder Confidence to Face Mass-Casualty Incidents in Thailand. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(5):492–500 .

Keywords

BDLSdisasterThailandtrainingAdvanced Trauma Life SupportBasic Disaster Life SupportEmergency Medical ServicesMass-Casualty IncidentNational Disaster Life Support
Type
Original Research
Information
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine , Volume 32 , Issue 5 , October 2017 , pp. 492 - 500
Copyright
© World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine 2017 

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Footnotes

Conflicts of interest: Dr. Coule serves as an uncompensated member of the Board of Directors of the National Disaster Life Support Foundation. None of the other authors have any conflicts of interest to declare.

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