Pediatric Disaster Medicine Curriculum: Prepare for the Unexpected

Published April 01, 2025

As disasters become more frequent and severe, the vulnerability of children during such events is increasingly clear. Pediatric healthcare providers, including residents, pediatricians, APPs, nurses, and other medical professionals, often lack specific training to address the unique challenges children face in disaster situations. This series of modules is designed to equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to ensure children receive high-quality care during times of crisis.

Please contact education@pedspandemicnetwork.org with any questions or to request a free SCORM package to add these modules to your Learning Management System.

Introduction to Disaster Medicine

This introductory course provides critical insights into preparing for and responding to pediatric disaster scenarios. Learn how to manage pediatric hospital search events and respond to clinic shutdowns due to weather disruptions. Through video scenarios and interactive knowledge checks, this module offers evidence-based strategies for improving pediatric emergency readiness in healthcare systems.

Target Audience: Pediatric residents, pediatricians, APPs, nurses, and all medical professionals involved in pediatric care.

Duration: 60 minutes

Key Takeaways:

  • Best practices for disaster preparedness and family advocacy
  • Practical tools for responding to pediatric-specific disaster events

Pediatric Behavioral Health in Disasters

Disasters take a significant toll on children’s mental health, often leading to post-traumatic stress and behavioral health problems. This case-based module provides strategies to recognize and address these issues, helping you support pediatric patients and their families throughout the disaster cycle.

Target Audience: Pediatric residents, pediatricians, APPs, nurses, and medical professionals in pediatric care.

Duration: 50 minutes

Key Takeaways:

  • Recognize signs of medical traumatic stress and PTSD in children
  • Identify risk factors and protective factors for disaster-related behavioral health issues
  • Learn coping strategies and resources to help families manage stress and trauma

Trauma, Triage, and EMS in Disasters

Mass casualty events require rapid decision-making and specialized knowledge. This module will guide you through the essentials of mass casualty triage, focusing on pediatric patients. It includes serious games and case-based scenarios to help you practice sorting pediatric patients into triage categories and review trauma care techniques like hemorrhage control.

Target Audience: Pediatric residents, pediatricians, APPs, nurses, and healthcare professionals who may be involved in mass casualty situations.

Duration: 50 minutes

Key Takeaways:

  • Master pediatric-specific triage methods used in mass casualty scenarios
  • Learn life-saving skills like tourniquet application
  • Understand your role in hospital disaster plans and advocate for including children in disaster exercises