Hello all, I have been accepted to a US MD school and will begin MS-1 in the fall. A career path I am considering is doing an EM residency program and then trying to get involved with disaster relief in the US. My brother is involved with disaster relief and is sent to places for a few weeks to a few months after a major disaster (think California wildfires, major hurricanes, etc.). This is something I would love to be involved with as a physician, but I’m unsure how to go about it (my brother is not in the medical field). My ideal career would involve ER work on a normal schedule and then when a disaster hits travel to the area and help out for the amount of time necessary, then travel home to continue my “day-to-day” job. Does anyone know what groups/agencies help out the most with US disaster relief, such as American Red Cross or possible millitary reserves or national guard?? What could I do to further seek out this idea as a medical student such as shadowing,etc?? How about possibly using the disaster relief to payback loans or get school paid for before hand?? Any advice or resources would be great, as I really do not want to regret seeking out this idea earlier In a few years. Thanks!
I'm involved with a Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) in my jurisdiction.
No one has ever shadowed me - especially given the fact that many disasters are
unpredictable (and potentially hazardous giving rise to
liability issues) and may require a significant time commitment. I am not aware of money being offered to students to pay back their loans/apply toward their medical school tuition in exchange for voluntarily providing disaster relief assistance.
Here are some options in the USA:
1. Become involved with a
Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT). DMATs are a
national network of medical response teams that provide medical care to populations experiencing natural or man-made disasters. Before joining a DMAT (or MAT) in your jurisdiction, it's advisable to be aware of your personal and professional limitations, expectations and availability. You will work long and hard; and at times, the environment is hostile, unforgiving, discouraging and demanding. So, be physically and psychologically prepared for anything and everything, okay?
2. Become involved with a
Medical Assistance Team (MAT) in your jurisdiction. MATs are
state-coordinated, rapid deployment teams of health care and support professionals for use in catastrophic and other local emergency or potential emergency events. Disaster Health Care Volunteers (DHV) is a registry of pre-credentialed medical professionals assigned to a specific Operational Area who could respond to a disaster if requested by that Operational Area. They are individuals rather than a trained team; and will rely on supplies, equipment and management of other organizations.
3.
Medical Reserve Corps. The Medical Reserve Corps consists of community teams that are activated by their Medical Health Operational Area Coordinator in times of emergency and generally respond to their local community’s needs.
Click on
MRC for more information.
4.
Disaster Health Services physician-volunteer with the
American Red Cross.
Click on
https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/volunteer/pdfs/Eligibility-Criteria-for-Disaster-Health-Services-Volunteers.pdf
[FYI ... the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is not a disaster relief organization and does NOT coordinate physician relief efforts. However, you can refer to ACEP's Disaster Medicine Section and Section on International Emergency Medicine to become better acquainted with disaster medicine services and training as a physician.]
