The 2024 Pre-Deployment Course was outstanding!!

The BIDMC Fellowship in Disaster Medicine Pre-Deployment Course is a comprehensive 4-day training program and is conducted in a field setting. The course covers all aspects of international deployments, from the initial briefing to demobilization, and is designed to make the students feel as if they are on deployment. Attendees are presented with a wide variety of topics and practical exercise applications. Topics include; Team Dynamics, Psychological Issues, Base of Operations Considerations, Go Bags, Patient Movement, H.E.A.T, Threat Assessment, W.H.O. Requirements for Foreign E.M.T.’s, W.H.O. Reporting, Conflict Resolution, and Field Ethics, among others.

Each year we invite guests. Here is a quote from one of our very experienced Disaster Medicine guests:

"I wanted to extend my sincere thanks for inviting me and my colleagues to the BIDMC Fellowship in Disaster Medicine Pre-Deployment Course this past weekend (& lecture series). From the moment we arrived, the warm welcome from you and your team made us feel immediately part of the program, setting the tone for what would become an incredibly valuable experience.

The comprehensive multiday training, conducted in the field setting, truly immersed us in the realities of low-resource, austere deployments. The attention to detail, from the initial briefings to the practical exercises, made us feel as though we were preparing for an actual deployment.

What stood out most was the dedication of the faculty, whose vast field experience brought the material to life. Their willingness to go above and beyond, sharing both their knowledge and their personal experiences, was truly inspiring. The team-building exercises and conflict resolution discussions provided invaluable lessons on how to manage in high-stress environments, a takeaway for me to include in future trainings.

I am grateful to have been part of such an innovative and well-established program and hope this is the start of many opportunities to train and potentially deploy alongside you and your Fellows and faculty. Please pass along my thanks to all the instructors who contributed to this incredible learning experience."