Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2026 Jul 30;20:e138. doi: 10.1017/dmp.2026.10414.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Children are disproportionately affected by disasters and represent a vulnerable population in such settings. However, no internationally recognized core competencies exist to guide health care providers in caring for children impacted by disasters (particularly non-pediatricians). This study aimed to establish consensus-based core competencies for pediatric disaster response through international expert agreement across disciplines.
METHODS: A three-round modified Delphi study was conducted following CREDES criteria, using competency statements generated via a comprehensive scoping review of pediatric disaster literature. International disaster medicine experts rated competency statements on a 7-point linear scale (1 = disagree, 7 = agree). Consensus was defined a priori as standard deviation (SD) ≤ 1.0. Data were collected and analyzed using the STAT59 online platform.
RESULTS: 57 competencies met consensus criteria across three Delphi rounds, with mean scores ranging from 5.4 to 6.6. The highest-ranked competencies (mean = 6.6) were pediatric vulnerabilities recognition, pediatric transport management, child identification and tracking, and child-parent reunification. Decontamination initiation was also highly ranked (mean = 6.5).
CONCLUSIONS: The 57 consensus-based core competencies for pediatric disaster medicine response, spanning 16 practice domains, provide a foundation to further develop standardized curricula, guide preparedness and response efforts, and define minimum training expectations for health care providers caring for children impacted by disasters.
PMID:42529878 | DOI:10.1017/dmp.2026.10414
