European Master in Disaster Medicine
When disaster strikes, being able to gather specific people, knowledge and material resources at the right places at the right times can make all the difference. Organizing these resources requires a specific set of knowledge, insight and skills – neither of which is hardly ‘exclusively medical.’ The interuniversity advanced Master’s programme in Disaster Medicine provides health professionals with the know-how to provide high-quality medical care in austere environments.
At the forefront
The European Master in Disaster Medicine (EMDM) is dedicated to improve the competence in disaster medicine and the disaster medical competencies for health professionals in order to form high-level professionals qualified to work as academics, staff members or field workers for international, governmental, and non-governmental organizations.
Intense international cooperation and support
The European Master in Disaster Management is organized in cooperation with the Università del Piemonte Orientale (Novara, Italy). Co-organizing insititutions are the Katastrofmedicinskt Centrum (Linköping, Sweden), University of Calfornia (Irvine, US) and the Université de Genève et Hôpitaux Univeritaires de Genève (Switzerland).
The EMDM is supported by international organizations and scientific societies with interest in disaster medicine and humanitarian health: the World Health Organization, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières and the European Society for Emergency Medicine.
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Educational Quality
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Public info on the quality of the programme
European Master in Disaster Management
The European Master in Disaster Management consists of a one-year e-learning course, a two-week residential course in Novara (Italy) and a final online examination. The writing and defense of a Master's thesis based on a research study, concludes the programme.
An appropriate education and training in all aspects of disaster medicine is essential for planners, key personnel and all actors involved in the disaster medical and health response.
Aim of the study
Managing the medical effects of a disaster is one of the most difficult tasks to be performed by medical personnel. It requires specific knowledge, the ability to plan and organize a health system, adapted to the disaster situation and the professional skill to provide medical care of high quality in an austere environment. Many recurring difficulties or problems that plague the medical response in disasters are due to insufficient education and training of the involved personnel, poor understanding of the medical disaster plans, procedures and protocols and low levels of skill and experience.
Therefore, an appropriate education and training in all aspects of disaster medicine is essential for planners, key personnel and all actors involved in the disaster medical and health response. This will necessitate the educational involvement of academic authorities in association with qualified professionals in disaster medicine and disaster management.
How does it work?
This master provides a clear picture of current concepts and developments in the strategic and tactical management of the medical aspects of disasters.
It provides you with a number of skills which are important in the pursuance of disaster management:
- leadership
- decision making
- communication
- coordination skills
- stress management
- working in multidisciplinary teams
- the use of information technology
You also learn to to teach and train disaster medical management at health professions schools and perform research in order to contribute to the further development of disaster medicine as an academic discipline. This master gives you the opportunity to be included in a worldwide network of disaster medical professionals.
This master provides a clear picture of current concepts and developments in the strategic and tactical management of the medical aspects of disasters.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this master are:
- to assess the epidemiological and health risks in disaster situations
- to participate in the medical preparedness and planning for disasters
- to direct the medical response in disaster situations
- to master the medical managerial and care aspects of specific disasters
- to organize and manage the psychological support of disaster victims and rescuers
- to organize and manage evaluation and debriefing sessions
- to organize education and training in disaster medicine and disaster medical management
- to master the medical managerial aspects in complex humanitarian emergencies
- to understand the legal and ethical aspects in disaster management and
- to supervise, develop and conduct research on the medical aspects of disasters
AFTER GRADUATION
A master degree opens doors in many different branches and sectors. You will be able to work in the private sector, (non-) governmental organisations, or continue your academic career as a PhD researcher. Not sure what your next step should be? The VUB helps you with your first steps on the job market.
Job opportunities
As a graduate of the Master in Disaster Medicine you can be assigned to following positions:
- Advisor and/or manager of disaster medical management in local, regional and federal administrations
- Officer responsible for the hospital disaster management
- Advisor and/or manager of disaster medical management in international organizations (UN, WHO, OCHA....)
- Executive officer in non-governmental organizations responsible for disaster medical management
- Responsible staff member for education in disaster medicine in medical schools
- Researcher in the medical aspects of disasters in academic centres
The interuniversity advanced Master’s programme in Disaster Medicine provides health professionals with the know-how to provide high-quality medical care in austere environments.
Careercenter
The VUB helps you to make your first step in the job market with workshops, networking events, job fairs, tips ‘n tricks for job interviews. All an ambitious student needs!
First step on the market
Phd?
If you want to continue your academic career, you can apply for a PhD position at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. All you need is a promoter, research subject and sufficient funding. Are you up for this challenge?
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On LinkedInAdmission requirements and programme
To start the programme, you need to have a university Master degree in a subject of health care, health management, or public health.
All necessary information regarding the admission requirements, deadlines and application forms, as well as more information on the programme itself, can be found on the website of the European Master of Disaster Medicine.
Language requirements
In order to be admitted, you need to be proficient in English.