Kubilay Kaptan

Education and training initiatives for crisis management in the European Union: a web-based analysis of available programs.

INTRODUCTION Education and training are key elements of disaster management. Despite national and international educational programs in disaster management, there is no standardized curriculum available to guide the European Union (EU) member states. European- based Disaster Training Curriculum (DITAC), a multiple university-based project financially supported by the EU, is charged with developing a holistic and highly-structured curriculum and courses for responders and crisis managers at a strategic and tactical level. The purpose of this study is to qualitatively assess the prevailing preferences and characteristics of disaster management educational and training initiatives (ETIs) at a postgraduate level that currently exist in the EU countries. METHODS An Internet-based qualitative search was conducted in 2012 to identify and analyze the current training programs in disaster management. The course characteristics were evaluated for curriculum, teaching methods, modality of delivery, target groups, and funding. RESULTS The literature search identified 140 ETIs, the majority (78%) located in United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Master level degrees were the primary certificates granted to graduates. Face-to-face education was the most common teaching method (84%). Approximately 80% of the training initiatives offered multi- and cross-disciplinary disaster management content. A competency-based approach to curriculum content was present in 61% of the programs. Emergency responders at the tactical level were the main target group. Almost all programs were self-funded. CONCLUSION Although ETIs currently exist, they are not broadly available in all 27 EU countries. Also, the curricula do not cover all key elements of disaster management in a standardized and competency-based structure. This study has identified the need to develop a standardized competency-based educational and training program for all European countries that will ensure the practice and policies that meet both the standards of care and the broader expectations for professionalization of the disaster and crisis workforce.

Erratum: Identifying deficiencies in national and foreign medical team responses through expert opinion surveys: Implications for education and training - ERRATUM(Prehospital and Disaster Medicine)

Introduction: Unacceptable practices in the delivery of international medical assistance are reported after every major international disaster; this raises concerns about the clinical competence and practice of some foreign medical teams (FMTs). The aim of this study is to explore and analyze the opinions of disaster management experts about potential deficiencies in the art and science of national and FMTs during disasters and the impact these opinions might have on competency-based education and training. Method: This qualitative study was performed in 2013. A questionnaire-based evaluation of experts’ opinions and experiences in responding to disasters was conducted. The selection of the experts was done using the purposeful sampling method, and the sample size was considered by data saturation. Content analysis was used to explore the implications of the data. Results: This study shows that there is a lack of competency-based training for disaster responders. Developing and performing standardized training courses is influenced by shortcomings in budget, expertise, and standards. There is a lack of both coordination and integration among teams and their activities during disasters. The participants of this study emphasized problems concerning access to relevant resources during disasters. Conclusion: The major findings of this study suggest that teams often are not competent during the response phase because of education and training deficiencies. Foreign medical teams and medically related nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) do not always

RETRACTION: Heritage Management Of Temple Tanks In An Urban Scenario: A Case Study Of Thirupporur, a Traditional Town In the State of Tamilnadu, India, by Kubilay Kaptan

L’Editor-in-Chief ritira questo articolo secondo le raccomandazioni del Committee on Publication Ethics - COPE, dopo aver riscontrato prova di plagio. Il ritiro si riferisce al seguente articolo: “Heritage management of temple tanks in an urban scenario - a case study of Thirupporur, a traditional town in the state of Tamilnadu, India”, https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.1973-9494/4188 pubblicato online e nella versione cartacea del fascicolo N.13-2013 del Journal “Conservation Science in Cultural Heritage”. E stato effettuato il plagio del seguente articolo: R. Vedamuthu e D. Jayanthi, “Heritage Management of Temple Tanks in an Urban Scenario - A Case Study of Thirupporur, a Traditional Town in the State of Tamilnadu, India” presente in “Studies on Historical Heritage”, Proceedings of the International Symposium, Antalya, Turchia, 17-21 settembre 2007 http://www.tamir.yildiz.edu.tr/images/images/SHH07-2%20Ch3,%204.pdf.pdf Si invitano i lettori a consultare questo articolo e non quello ritirato. Pertanto ci scusiamo con i lettori e con gli autori per quanto avvenuto.