419976

The Role of The Healthcare Practitioner During Natural Disasters, Health Crises, And Wars.

Article

Last updated: 09 Apr 2025

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Abstract

Background: Disasters, whether natural or human-induced, have been increasing in frequency and impact, necessitating robust preparedness and response strategies. Healthcare practitioners, particularly general practitioners (GPs), are critical in managing such crises. Since the 2001 terrorist attacks, disaster preparedness has improved, with greater integration of public health and healthcare professionals into planning processes. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the adoption of digital health technologies (DHTs), such as telehealth, electronic health records (EHRs), and mobile health (mHealth), which have become essential tools in disaster response and healthcare delivery. Aim: This review examines the role of healthcare practitioners, particularly GPs, in disaster management, focusing on their responsibilities in preparedness, response, and recovery. It also explores the integration of DHTs in disaster scenarios and their potential benefits and limitations. Methods: The review synthesizes existing literature on disaster management frameworks, the role of GPs, and the application of DHTs in healthcare during crises. It highlights key components such as the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS), the four phases of emergency management (mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery), and digital tools like telehealth and AI. Results: Healthcare practitioners play a pivotal role in disaster management, from providing immediate care to coordinating long-term recovery efforts. DHTs, including telehealth and EHRs, enhance disaster response by improving communication, data sharing, and patient management. However, challenges such as digital access disparities, e-waste, and the need for standardized frameworks remain.

DOI

10.21608/jmals.2024.419976

Keywords

Healthcare practitioners, General Practitioners, Disaster management, digital health technologies, Telehealth, Emergency response

Authors

First Name

KHALID

Last Name

ALSHARARI

MiddleName

RUBAYYI MOHAMMED

Affiliation

Red Crescent Hamad Center, Saudi Arabia

Email

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Orcid

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First Name

NAWAF

Last Name

ALSHARARI

MiddleName

MADALLAH AWADH

Affiliation

Red Crescent Hamad Center, Saudi Arabia

Email

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City

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Orcid

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First Name

Abdulmajeed

Last Name

Alotaibi

MiddleName

Mualla

Affiliation

King Fahad Medical City, Saudi Arabia

Email

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City

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Orcid

-

First Name

Khulud

Last Name

Dalak

MiddleName

Essa

Affiliation

Prince Sultan Cardiac Center, Saudi Arabia

Email

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City

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Orcid

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First Name

Malak

Last Name

Alanazi

MiddleName

Abdulaziz

Affiliation

Prince Sultan Cardiac Center, Saudi Arabia

Email

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City

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Orcid

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First Name

Amjad

Last Name

Alqahtani

MiddleName

Ali

Affiliation

Prince Sultan Cardiac Center, Saudi Arabia

Email

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City

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Orcid

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First Name

Mona

Last Name

Alsomali

MiddleName

Dullah Yousef

Affiliation

Prince Sultan Cardiac Center, Saudi Arabia

Email

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City

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Orcid

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Volume

6

Article Issue

4

Related Issue

52782

Issue Date

2024-12-01

Receive Date

2024-09-25

Publish Date

2024-12-19

Page Start

673

Page End

683

Print ISSN

2636-4093

Online ISSN

2636-4107

Link

https://jmals.journals.ekb.eg/article_419976.html

Detail API

http://journals.ekb.eg?_action=service&article_code=419976

Order

419,976

Type

Original Article

Type Code

1,104

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Journal of Medical and Life Science

Publication Link

https://jmals.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

The Role of The Healthcare Practitioner During Natural Disasters, Health Crises, And Wars.

Details

Type

Article

Created At

09 Apr 2025