title: [Doctor's behavior in disasters].
abstract: When facing a disaster outside of hospitals, physicians have to work in unfamiliar surroundings. Self-protection is the first priority: be aware of possible dangers of traffic, explosions, electricity, structural collapse and toxic gas. Arriving first, one should safe the scene of accident (e.g. breakdown triagle, turn off electricity) and try to get a general idea of what has occured. After that, call the rescue services (in Switzerland dial 144). Only once this ist done, should one begin treating patients. If the rescue services are at scene, look for the commander, usually fitted out with a warning west "Einsatzleiter" ("chef d'intervention" in the french speaking part of Switzerland). Introduce yourself (name, profession, skills and material). In disasters, fields other than medicine are often more important. Nevertheless, doctors can help with logical thinking, strong and agile hands and attentive listening. One should only do the tasks assigned. In situations with mass casualities, morbidity and mortality can be reduced by special measures. The most important for physicians is the Triage. Triage is the sorting of patients based on their need for treatment and transport with the available resources. Triage ist usually run by the most experienced doctor.
authors.affiliation: Allgemeinmedizin FMH, Meiringen. waelchli.henzer@bluewin.ch
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wälchli
mesh_terms: D004190:Disasters; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010819:Physician's Role; D018635:Rescue Work; D014187:Transportation of Patients; D014218:Triage