Being a medical student in the Marmara Region, Türkiye: What is disaster medicine?

Authors : Saliha Şahin

Pages : 189-208

Doi:10.25282/ted.1771551

View : 80 | Download : 142

Publication Date : 2025-12-22

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Background and aim: The global increase in natural and human-made hazards—exacerbated by climate change—calls for strengthened national disaster mitigation and response capacities. Türkiye, located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, is highly vulnerable to earthquakes, wildfires, and floods. Disaster medicine addresses healthcare delivery under extraordinary conditions where health infrastructure is insufficient. However, in the country, disaster medicine is not formally integrated into medical curriculum and medical faculties do not offer structured disaster medicine education at the undergraduate level. This study explores medical students’ awareness and preparedness for disasters, identifies gaps in disaster medicine knowledge, and evaluates their willingness to engage in disaster response through education and volunteering. Materials and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among first- and sixth-year medical students at Marmara University, Istanbul, during the 2024–2025 academic year. Data were collected between April and June 2025 using a 21-item online questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, housing conditions, personal and familial disaster experiences, familiarity with disaster-related terminology, the Fear of Earthquake Scale and earthquake preparedness situation, interest in disaster medicine education, and willingness to volunteer. Results: In total, 193 students responded (41.4% response rate), with a majority being female (67.3%). Most had personal or familial experience with disasters, especially earthquakes. Among sixth-year students, 72.3% correctly identified the definition of triage. The Fear of Earthquake Scores were higher among women. Most students lacked an emergency kit (76.4%) or an action plan (72%). More first-year students had participated in drills. Overall, 84.4% expressed interest in disaster medicine training, favouring simulation and gamification methods. Willingness to join a disaster volunteer project was 54.4%, and was notably higher among those interested in training. Conclusion: Integrating disaster medicine into medical education is increasingly recognized as vital to prepare future healthcare professionals and engage medical students in disaster response, thereby enhancing disaster preparedness and resilience in high-risk regions like Türkiye.
Keywords : afet tıbbı, tıp öğrencileri, afet gönüllüleri, deprem, Türkiye.

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