Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Inschrijven voor dit studieplan is enkel mogelijk op dossier.
The main aim of the Advanced Master in Disaster Medicine is to improve the competence in disaster medicine and the disaster medical competencies for health professionals in order to form high-level professionals qualified to work as academics, staff members or field workers for international, governmental, and non-governmental organizations.
The management of the medical effects of a disaster is one of the most difficult tasks to be performed by medical personnel. It requires specific knowledge, the ability to plan and organize a health system, adapted to the disaster situation and the professional skill to provide medical care of high quality in an austere environment. Many recurring difficulties or problems that plague the medical response in disasters are due to insufficient education and training of the involved personnel, poor understanding of the medical disaster plans, procedures and protocols and low levels of skill and experience.
Therefore, an appropriate education and training in all aspects of disaster medicine are essential for planners, key personnel and all actors involved in the disaster medical and health response. This will necessitate the educational involvement of academic authorities in association with qualified professionals in disaster medicine and disaster management.
The learning outcomes of this master are:
• to assess the epidemiological and health risks in disaster situations
• to participate in the medical preparedness and planning for disasters
• to direct the medical response in disaster situations
• to master the medical managerial and care aspects of specific disasters
• to organize and manage the psychological support of disaster victims and rescuers
• to organize and manage evaluation and debriefing sessions
• to organize education and training in disaster medicine and disaster medical management
• to master the medical managerial aspects in complex humanitarian emergencies
• to understand the legal and ethical aspects in disaster management and
• to supervise, develop and conduct research on the medical aspects of disasters
Didactic Concept
The master consists of different parts that you must complete successfully:
1. A structured, self-directed study under faculty guidance on competence-based didactic activities, integrated in an e-learning curriculum and provided on the EMDM website. The educational materials are reinforced by discussion forums and complemented by electronic simulation exercises
2. A two-week residential session, during which you meet the faculty and interact in debates and exercises, assessing your ability to apply an integrated knowledge base, meant for solving problems in disaster situations
3. A thesis related to a topic of disaster medicine or disaster medical management, under the supervision of a local tutor and a faculty member
4. A final online examination provided on the Internet, composed of an electronic simulation exercise and a multiple choice questionnaire
All courses must be completed successfully
Uit de hieronder genoemde cursussen, moet voor ten minste 60 ECTS credits worden geselecteerd.