What will you learn?

In this program you will develop key problem-solving skills and expertise in this specialist area, including logistical and clinical prevention, planning, response, recovery and policy development. You will also gain an understanding of domestic and international factors involved in the management of these events.

The course is delivered online, with two, two-day face-to-face workshops (4 days in total) involving practical exercises and simulation activities. Led by internationally renowned experts from a range of backgrounds, in this practical component you will apply your newly acquired integrated knowledge to solving problems in various simulated disaster situations. This includes active shooter mass casualty simulations, drill exercises and hazardous materials training. It is highly recommended students attend campus for these workshops, but they may attend virtually.

You will learn how to:

• Recognise and critically assess the complex nature of disaster and terror events from a clinical and healthcare management perspective
• Analyse existing models of preparedness at different levels of response (community, hospital, national and international) to prevent or minimise harm
• Evaluate principles of resource utilisation, resilience and recovery management, applied to extreme conditions in a range of settings
• Compare and contrast treatment and management regimes for a comprehensive range of natural and man-made disaster and terror events.

On completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Recognise and apply disaster and terror medicine and health management principles, considering the various health systems and challenges in managing disaster incidents and countering terrorism
• Analyse the factors that underpin level of organisational response and the principles that are applied to prevent, manage, contain and diffuse the impact of disasters in clinical settings
• Devise methods to address the complex physical and psychological factors involved in after care and recovery post event
• Develop creative and flexible problem-solving, communication skills for unique crisis situations, in a range of environmental, geographic and often dangerous settings
• Evaluate the clinical and health service design and implementation processes for prevention, planning, responding and managing disaster and terror events
• Critically assess the clinical and health service risk and the impact of disaster and terror events.

Workload

This course can be completed in six months of part-time study.

The expected workload is approximately 20 hours per week, including all readings and assessments.

Teaching dates for face-to-face workshops