title: Experiences from tsunami relief activity: implications for medical education.
abstract: A tsunami struck the coast of Tamilnadu and Pondicherry on 26 December 2004. Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, (JIPMER) in Pondicherry played a vital role in providing medical relief. The experiences from the relief activities revealed areas of deficiency in medical education in regards to disaster preparedness. A qualitative study using focus group discussion was employed to find the lacunae in skills in managing medical relief measures. Many skills were identified; the most important of which was addressing the psychological impact of the tsunami on the victims. Limited coordination and leadership skills were also identified. It is recommended that activity-based learning can be included in the curriculum to improve these skills.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive & Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, India.
authors.forename: Sudharsanam Manni
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Balasubramaniam
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive & Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, India.
authors.forename: Yogesh
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mohan
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive & Social Medicine, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, India.
authors.forename: Gautam
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roy