P-62 Preliminary Assessment of Disaster Preparedness Education/Training for Health Care Workers in The Bahamas

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey of a public and private healthcare providers in The Bahamas. The assessment survey tool was designed by the researcher and evaluated by the research team because there are no tools available locally. The study was conducted between the periods of April 01 to May 31, 2022. Participants were canvassed via emails and phone calls. Respondents were self selected. Participants comprised of registered physicians, nurses, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), and other allied health professionals involved in disaster response. Respondents will be sought at the Princess Margaret Hospital (New Providence), Doctors Hospital Health System (New Providence), Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (New Providence), National Emergency Medical Services (NEMS) base (New Providence), The Rand Memorial Hospital (Grand Bahama), and The Department of Public Health Community Clinics. The assessment survey addressed questions surrounding disaster preparedness training/education, care of victims as well as health and disaster related agencies. The survey was conducted via Google forms and included the following information: • Basic demographic information • Education and knowledge regarding disasters • Preference on type of disaster to focus education on • Preference of education modality • The amount of time able or willing to dedicate to disaster education/training • Barriers to participation in disaster education/training

Results: Data from 139 respondents was used for analysis (M 18, F 121), 6.5% had not served during a disaster event prior. 60.4% had not received prior disaster preparedness training/education. Of the 39.6% that received training, 49.1% utilized continuing education courses. 60.7% of health care workers training was focused on a natural event i.e. tornado/fire/hurricane. 54.9% of participants indicated a general lack of education programs as being a barrier to participation in education/training. 37.1% preferred handson training as the method for receiving training/education, while 49.3% were willing to participate in at least 2 training/events per year.

Conclusion: Some healthcare workers in The Bahamas reported a lack of disaster preparedness training/education. Priority should be given to ensuring all healthcare workers are trained in disaster preparedness because The Bahamas along with other Small Island Developing States in The Caribbean are most at risk for disasters. Therefore disaster training/education is critical building block for climate resilient health system.