Disaster Medicine Training for Pre-Clinical Medical Students at the University of Tripoli, Libya

This completed Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) evaluated the effect of a structured disaster medicine training program on knowledge, practical skills, confidence, and readiness among pre-clinical medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tripoli.

The study was designed in response to the need for stronger disaster medicine education in undergraduate medical training. Libya has experienced several natural and human-made emergencies in recent years. Storm Daniel caused severe flooding and major loss of life in Derna in 2023. Other Libyan communities, including Tarhuna and Zliten, have also been affected by floods and water-related hazards. In addition, armed conflict, displacement, landmine hazards, and unexploded ordnance continue to create important public health and emergency response challenges. These events highlight the need to prepare future physicians with basic disaster response competencies before clinical practice.

Eligible pre-clinical medical students were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group received the structured disaster medicine training before the study assessments, while the control group received delayed training after completion of the study assessments. This design allowed all participants to benefit from the training while maintaining a valid comparison between groups during the assessment period.

The training program included approximately 20 to 30 hours of theoretical and practical sessions. Sessions were delivered by university faculty with experience in clinical skills and emergency response, together with trainers from the Libyan Red Crescent who had extensive field experience in disaster and emergency response.

The training covered core topics in disaster medicine, including disaster concepts, disaster response systems, first aid, psychological support, communication and coordination during emergencies, prevention of disease outbreaks, volunteer safety, environmental sanitation, landmine and war-remnant awareness, and safe and respectful management of deceased persons.

The main objectives of the study were to assess baseline disaster medicine knowledge and preparedness among pre-clinical medical students, evaluate the effect of structured disaster medicine training on theoretical knowledge, evaluate practical skills using Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) scenarios, assess students' confidence and readiness to participate in emergency response, and provide recommendations for integrating disaster medicine training into the undergraduate medical curriculum in Libya.

Study outcomes were assessed using a baseline knowledge test, a mid-training knowledge test, and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). The OSCE scenarios were reviewed by emergency physicians, disaster medicine experts, and university faculty. The study used a double-masked assessment approach. Participants were not informed of their group allocation during the assessment period, and outcome assessors scored the knowledge tests and OSCE stations using coded identifiers without access to group allocation. Investigators involved in outcome assessment and data handling were also masked to group allocation where operationally feasible.

Participation was voluntary. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants before enrollment, including consent for participation in the training and assessment process and for the use of their anonymized data for scientific research purposes. Participants were informed that they could withdraw at any time without penalty. Additional participant information was collected at each assessment point as required for study follow-up, while confidentiality was protected through coded identifiers. Data were analyzed anonymously.

Practical training activities and OSCE scenarios were conducted under supervision to minimize risk and ensure participant safety. The study followed approved ethical procedures and standard research principles for studies involving student participants.

The study aimed to determine whether structured disaster medicine training can improve disaster-related knowledge, practical response skills, confidence, and readiness among pre-clinical medical students. The findings may support future integration of disaster medicine training into medical education in Libya and similar resource-limited or conflict-affected settings.

Inclusion criteria

• Pre-clinical medical students enrolled at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tripoli.
• Aged 18 to 24 years.
• Able and willing to provide written informed consent.
• Not previously enrolled in any formal disaster medicine or emergency response training course.
• Available to attend the required training sessions and assessment activities, including the baseline knowledge test, mid-training knowledge test, and Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

Exclusion criteria

• Students who have previously received structured training in disaster medicine or emergency response.
• Students currently participating in another educational or training program that may influence disaster preparedness outcomes.
• Students with conditions that prevent participation in simulation-based training or Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) activities, such as inability to perform required practical tasks.
• Students who refuse or are unable to provide written informed consent.