Core Competencies for Pediatric Disaster Medicine: An International Modified Delphi Study.
Article
Grodman, Schyler Zane, Hertelendy, Attila J, Issa, Fadi et al. (2026). Core Competencies for Pediatric Disaster Medicine: An International Modified Delphi Study.
. DISASTER MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS, 20 e138. 10.1017/dmp.2026.10414
Grodman, Schyler Zane, Hertelendy, Attila J, Issa, Fadi et al. (2026). Core Competencies for Pediatric Disaster Medicine: An International Modified Delphi Study.
. DISASTER MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS, 20 e138. 10.1017/dmp.2026.10414
Children are disproportionately affected by disasters and represent a vulnerable population in such settings. However, no internationally recognized core competencies exist to guide health care providers in caring for children impacted by disasters (particularly non-pediatricians). This study aimed to establish consensus-based core competencies for pediatric disaster response through international expert agreement across disciplines.
Methods
A three-round modified Delphi study was conducted following CREDES criteria, using competency statements generated via a comprehensive scoping review of pediatric disaster literature. International disaster medicine experts rated competency statements on a 7-point linear scale (1 = disagree, 7 = agree). Consensus was defined a priori as standard deviation (SD) ≤ 1.0. Data were collected and analyzed using the STAT59 online platform.
Results
57 competencies met consensus criteria across three Delphi rounds, with mean scores ranging from 5.4 to 6.6. The highest-ranked competencies (mean = 6.6) were pediatric vulnerabilities recognition, pediatric transport management, child identification and tracking, and child-parent reunification. Decontamination initiation was also highly ranked (mean = 6.5).
Conclusions
The 57 consensus-based core competencies for pediatric disaster medicine response, spanning 16 practice domains, provide a foundation to further develop standardized curricula, guide preparedness and response efforts, and define minimum training expectations for health care providers caring for children impacted by disasters.
