Volume 2 - Issue 4 (2025-07-20)

Continuing Professional Education for Emergency Healthcare Workers in Disaster Response: A Systematic Review of Outcomes and Best Practices

Fareed Abdullah Mohammed Alghamdi

Abdullah Eid A Alzahrani

Adel Ali Mohammed Alghamdi

Nasser Abdullah S Alghamdi

Bader Saeed Ali Alghamdi

Sultan Saad Said Alghamdi

Saleh Bin Dhaifallah B Alghamdi

Faisal Abdullah K Al Zahrani

Background: Disasters and mass-casualty incidents place extraordinary demands on emergency healthcare systems, underscoring the need for a workforce equipped with specialized competencies. Continuing professional education (CPE) has been identified as a critical mechanism for strengthening disaster preparedness, yet evidence regarding its outcomes and best practices remains fragmented.

Objective: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of CPE interventions for emergency healthcare workers in disaster response, focusing on outcomes related to knowledge, skills, preparedness, teamwork, and patient/system performance, with special attention to evidence from Saudi Arabia.

Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and the Saudi Digital Library for studies published between 2014 and 2024. Eligible studies included nurses, physicians, and paramedics engaged in disaster-focused CPE programs. Data extraction captured study design, population, intervention type, and outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2, ROBINS-I, and CASP tools, as appropriate. A narrative synthesis was performed.

Results: Fifty studies met inclusion criteria, spanning North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East (including seven from Saudi Arabia). Interventions included simulation-based training, workshops, blended e-learning, and mass-casualty drills. Most studies demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge, skills, and confidence. Interprofessional training enhanced teamwork and communication, while simulation-based approaches consistently yielded superior outcomes. Limited but promising evidence indicated reductions in response times and improved triage accuracy during real-world incidents. In Saudi Arabia, CPE was particularly impactful in preparing emergency healthcare workers for the annual Hajj mass gatherings, though gaps persisted in interagency coordination.

Conclusions: CPE is an effective strategy for enhancing disaster readiness among emergency healthcare workers, particularly when simulation-based and interprofessional. However, evidence of long-term retention and direct patient outcomes remains limited. Standardized curricula, outcome measures, and longitudinal evaluations are needed to optimize training globally. Saudi Arabia’s experience highlights the value of embedding CPE in national regulatory frameworks and mass-gathering preparedness.