Toward Global Standards for Disaster Medical Specialists: A Scoping Review of Competencies for Emergency Medical Teams

OBJECTIVE: While the World Health Organization established minimum standards for emergency medical teams (EMTs) in 2013, globally recognized competency standards for individual disaster medical responders remain lacking. This study identifies and synthesizes existing competencies, qualifications, and training requirements for physicians, nurses, and paramedics who serve as deployable disaster response specialists on EMTs. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Comprehensive searches of five databases were performed in September, 2024. Gray literature from 22 governmental and non-governmental organizations was also reviewed. Studies addressing competencies or requirements for disaster specialists (physicians, nurses, paramedics) participating in disaster response were included. RESULTS: Fifty-four studies were included, most being nursing-focused (n = 28, 51.9%). Studies predominantly originated from the United States (n = 15, 27.8%) and China (n = 9, 16.7%). Training program duration ranged from single-day workshops to multi-week courses, with varied delivery formats. Core competencies identified across professions included Incident Command System knowledge, triage skills, communication abilities, personal protective equipment use, psychological first aid, ethical-legal preparedness, clinical-technical skills, and leadership capabilities. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial convergence exists around core disaster medicine competencies, yet significant variability persists in training approaches and duration. The establishment of globally recognized, evidence-based competency standards for individual disaster medical specialists represents a critical next step.