Assessing the Perceptions of Healthcare Practitioners of Disaster Management in Qatar: Tool Development, Psychometric Evaluation, And Administration

Abstract

Background: In the last fifty years, the frequency and severity of disasters have increased. It became essential that healthcare practitioners (HCPs) all over the world be well-prepared for disaster management, including disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. However, the existing literature on the preparedness and readiness of HCPs in Qatar is limited. The primary aim of this study was to assess the perceptions of disaster management among HCPs in Qatar. Methods: A scoping review was conducted to identify the assessment instruments employed to evaluate disaster management among HCPs, and to illustrate their psychometric properties. This review highlighted that the majority of instruments had limited applicability, undergone minor psychometric evaluations, and were not theoretically or competency-driven. Therefore, the Disaster Management Assessment Tool for Health Care Practitioners (DMAT_HCP) was developed and pilot-tested among a sample of 107 HCPs to evaluate its psychometric properties. DMAT_HCP was then completed by a stratified random sample of 403 HCPs in Qatar working in different health professions across Hamad Medical Corporation, Primary Health Care Corporation, and the Ministry of Public Health. The assessment outcomes included the perceptions of HCPs regarding their disaster management knowledge, attitude, practices, willingness to continue practicing duties during disasters, as well as the level of preparedness of healthcare organizations for disaster management. Results: The psychometric evaluation of DMAT_HCP demonstrated that it is a valid and reliable tool that is applicable to diverse health fields for addressing various types of disasters. The HCPs perceived that they generally have good knowledge, attitude, and willingness to engage in disaster-related duties, yet their perceptions of their practices in disaster management (e.g., supervising volunteers) activities were fair. HCPs perceived good support from their organizations and felt recognized for their contributions to disaster management. Conclusions: Overall, HCPs in Qatar demonstrate a strong foundation in disaster management which potentially suggests the ability to preserve the health and well-being of the population during disasters. Fostering ongoing professional development initiatives and enhancing collaborative efforts among HCPs can further reinforce disaster management capabilities, ensuring sustained readiness and effective response to future challenges.