Factors Affecting the Self-efficacy, Self Competency, and Willingness of Medical Students in Disasters

English (OpenAlex)

IntroductionHealthcare workers play a crucial role in disaster management, and their decisions can have a significant impact during emergencies.However, in countries where disaster management education is inadequate, medical professionals may lack the necessary expertize knowledge, and preparedness to manage disasters effectively, potentially leading to further escalation (1).During disasters, qualified healthcare workers, including doctors, registered nurses, health technicians, and emergency medical technicians, may be under immense pressure, necessitating assistance in areas beyond direct patient care.Hence, the demand for volunteer workers during disasters is becoming increasingly pertinent and debated.The potential contribution of medical school students to disaster response has been discussed in the literature, especially during events such as the Coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic (2).In countries such as Turkey, where hospitals are frequently overcrowded (3), medical students can provide valuable support, particularly since medical faculties are usually located close to hospitals (4,5).These students can respond rapidly to emergency calls, given the flexible nature of their daily responsibilities.With adequate training, they can perform specific roles as part of a team (6).However, minimal education is provided in medical schools on disaster management, and students may lack the general knowledge required to competently manage such roles.Therefore, infrastructure development and provision