#3-87E. Navigating the New Normal: Updated Competencies in Disaster Health (JAMA Netw Open, 2026)

Are we truly prepared to address the multifaceted risks our patients face during disasters and public health emergencies? A recent mixed-methods study sought to update the 2012 disaster medicine and public health core competencies by convening subject matter experts to integrate lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. The most pivotal finding from the resulting Delphi survey is the formal addition of identifying physical, psychological, and security hazards as an essential competency, highlighting a crucial shift toward comprehensive risk assessment. However, when critically appraising this study, listeners should note its small sample size—only 16 experts completed the final survey—which may introduce group effect bias and limit the generalizability of the consensus. Despite this limitation, this updated framework is highly relevant for physicians; it establishes a standardized baseline for multidisciplinary disaster training, empowering clinicians to better anticipate and mitigate both physical and psychological vulnerabilities to ensure a more coordinated and effective response in future crises.

Citation: Burke RV, Freeman JD. Updated Core Competencies for Disaster Medicine and Public Health. JAMA Network Open. 2026. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.60176

Disclaimer: This audio summary is based on personal interpretation and does not guarantee the exact content of the original paper. Please refer to the original article for details.