Health Sector Coordination in Disasters: Barriers & Facilitators

Abstract

Background: Coordination is a critical factor in successful organization and appropriate\rresponse to disasters. In this regard, a centralized coordination mechanism is the first step\rtowards an effective, efficient, and sustainable response in order to be ensured of the short- and\rlong-term recovery. Thus, this study aimed to identify and prioritize the barriers and facilitators\rof coordination in disasters.\rMaterials and Methods: This research was a descriptive and cross-sectional study, conducted\rin 2016. The participants comprised 22 experts in field of disaster. Data collection tool was\ra researcher-made questionnaire according to the analytical hierarchy process approach. For\rdata analysis, we used Expert Choice software.\rResults: Based on the results, “dominance of organizational approach instead of national\rpoints of view when addressing the health management during disasters,” took the first priority\rrank, earning the score of 0.344 among the barriers. Furthermore, among the facilitators,\r“having a processive and organizational view in health management during disasters,” took\rthe first priority rank, earning the score of 0.374.\rConclusion: To increase the effective coordination in health area, we should develop\rinfrastructure and structural measures, which include bolstering authorities’ belief about the\rhealth system’s role in the response to disasters, reinforcing the national approach rather than\rorganizational approach in the field of health at disasters, implementing the coordination\rrequirements, attending sufficiently and specifically to public participation, reducing the\rorganizational friction in the health field for sharing resources and information, raising the level\rof readiness with a focus on people and training programs, and finally creating an evolutionary\rprocess in the health field at disasters.