Health Management in Disasters in Iran: A Qualitative Study

Disaster management relies on the prediction of problems and providing necessary preparations at the right time and place. In this study, researchers intended to explore previous experiences of health disaster management.
This study conducted using qualitative content analysis method. Participants were selected purposefully and data were collected through interviews, observation, and relevant documents.
Transcribed data from 18 interviews, field notes, and other documents were analyzed. In data analysis, “reactive management” was emerged as the main theme. It included some categories such as “exposure shock,” “nondeliberative relief,” “lack of comprehensive health disaster plan,” “lack of preparedness,” and “poor coordination in health service delivery” as well as contextual factors.
The results clarified deep perception of participants’ experiences about health management in disasters. The professionals and nonprofessionals’ emotion-based reactions and behaviors, if accompanied with deficiencies in planning and preparedness, can lead to ineffective services and aggravate the damages