SEMPER Research & Education

HIGH-IMPACT RESEARCH

There is a need for organized, high-quality research on acute disaster medical response and management. 

Many key decisions made in disaster settings are made using anecdotal experience, intuition and “gut feelings.”  Objective data will better inform decisions. 

SEMPER is developing a research program to gather emergency medical data in disasters, analyze data and share best practices.

Well-planned, pre-approved research protocols are needed during and after major disasters in order to address key questions, such as:

• What is the best means of managing acute wounds where bacterial contamination will be ongoing?
• Can mobile phones or handheld devices be used to track medical records of disaster victims? 

EDUCATION & TRAINING

The majority of available disaster training programs focus on broad, high-level responses for public health needs (e.g., how to provide food, water-sanitation, shelter and security to large populations of displaced survivors). They do not focus on providing emergency medical care to survivors immediately after a disaster.

Disaster situations present unique challenges. SEMPER provides a comprehensive program to provide team members with knowledge and skills to maximize their effectiveness in providing medical care in the austere environment of a disaster area.

This includes continuing education on:

• wound and tropical disease management
• performing advanced surgical procedures (such as field amputations, fasciotomies and caesarean sections)