title: Characteristics of Medical Teams in Disaster.
abstract: Disasters present unique challenges for teams providing medical assistance to those populations impacted by the event. This scoping review focused on the characteristics of medical teams in disaster and how these characteristics are developed. The scoping review methods of Arksey and O'Malley were followed. An inductive thematic analysis of selected articles was used to identify recurrent themes. A total of 6,521 articles were reviewed from eight databases, yielding 33 articles. Four recurrent theme groups were identified: (1) adaptability, flexibility, and improvisation; (2) creativity and innovation; (3) experience and training; and (4) leadership and command structure. The study highlighted key characteristics identified by responders for effective team functioning and interdependence between the characteristics. It also identified the paucity of literature on the subject. Results from the study can help to guide future research and training development for medical teams in disaster. Oldenburger D , Baumann A , Banfield L . Characteristics of medical teams in disaster. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(2):195-200.
authors.affiliation: 1Global Health Office,McMaster University,Hamilton,Ontario,Canada.
authors.forename: David
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0216-3308
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Oldenburger
authors.affiliation: 1Global Health Office,McMaster University,Hamilton,Ontario,Canada.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.affiliation: 2Faculty of Health Sciences,McMaster University,Hamilton,Ontario,Canada.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6123-1476
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Banfield
mesh_terms: D004190:Disasters; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team
keywords:  DART Disaster Assistance Response/Relief Team;  DMAT Disaster Medical Assistance Team;  LMIC low-middle income country; disasters; health care team; mass-casualty incidents; relief work