Challenges of Disaster Assessment of Readiness and Training Guideline (DART) in Iran's Primary Health Care

Abstract

BACKGROUND: DART (Disaster Assessment of Readiness and Training program) is one of the five Disaster Risk Reduction Management Programs (DRRMP) in Primary Health Care (PHC) of Iran. The guidelines for this program have not been revised in more than 10 years. The aim of this study is to critically evaluate the current guideline. METHODS: This was A qualitative research by Focus Group Discussion (FGD) using the Eisner's educational connoisseurship and criticism model performed in Isfahan Medical Sciences University, Iran during 2024. The study population included seven experts who are familiar with the DRRMP and Eisner's model. Sampling method was purposeful and the FGD group members were selected by the researcher. Data collection was done through 1) WHO handbook for guideline development, 2) WHO Health Emergency, Disaster Risk Management Framework (H-EDRM), 3) A new framework of Primary Health Care (PHC) disaster preparedness and 4) Comparison of DART guideline with Stanford, FEMA and British Columbia household preparedness guidelines. RESULTS: In this study, four main categories were found in the educational criticism of the DART guideline: simplicity in design and development, lack of layout in pages and lack of user-friendly features (descriptions), sharp visual and content criticism for the minimum essential context of a guideline (interpretation), Little conformity of visual criteria and relative conformity of content criteria with global samples (evaluation).Finally, Thematic phase indicated that current guidelines do not meet the expectations of health care providers (HCPs), effective educational promotion of guidelines is needed, and adaptation to lifestyle and cultural customs and actual educational needs were also issues that could be considered. CONCLUSIONS: Visual and content criticism based on Eisner's model showed some of the basic components of the formulation and implementation of a guideline. Modifying and revising the DART guideline based on this information and scientific processes and continuous needs assessment can create an effective result in the development of improved guidelines.