BEN-GURION UNIVESITY OF THE NEGEV

Faculty of Health Sciences

Leon and Matilda Recanati School for Community Health Professions

Department of Emergency Medicine

Emergency and Disaster Medicine Postgraduate Program and Research Institute

Emergency Medicine is an exciting and dynamic field that deals with the results of a variety of unexpected occurrences such as accidents, natural and man-made disasters, alongside the intensive routine activity.

Over the years Israel has been challenged with many events that required the response to emergency situations and, therefore, calls for ongoing preparedness. The experience and knowledge gained from this practice, further developed and profounded by academic learning, joined together to a new postgraduate degree program in emergency and disaster medicine.

It is our deep conviction that there is an urgent need for an all embracing, comprehensive approach in this area, where large organizations, employers, public facilities, and communities will employ emergency and disaster specialists. These specialists will have the knowledge base necessary to tailor both preparedness and response solutions for specific environments and gear into action, at time of need.

The aim of the Masters program at Ben Gurion University of the Negev at Beer Sheva, Israel, is to increase knowledge and understanding of the field and to provide managers and workers in the health care system and in allied organizations with common nomenclature and managerial tools for optimal functionality in emergency and disaster situations.

Program graduates will be trained to initiate and direct actions towards increasing preparedness and response of health providers in the community and within the healthcare system. The program is designed for professionals in the field that wish to expand their knowledge and abilities in emergency medicine, disasters, injury prevention and the management of emergency medicine systems.

Graduates of medicine, nursing, emergency medicine, health systems management and other health professions as well as safety officers, position holders in emergency organizations, hospitals, pre-hospital systems and activists in humanitarian aid organizations will find interest in the program.

There are two tracks: a research track which includes the writing of a thesis dissertation and a management and education track, which includes additional courses and a seminar.

Duration of studies is two academic years, one full day per week. The program is scheduled to open in October 2008 in Hebrew with plans for a parallel international program in the future in English.

An adjacent research institute was recently formed that will enhance multidisciplinary research of related issues. Research builds on the expertise of staff as well as on close collaboration with EMS services, the Ministry of Health, major emergency departments, atvarious hospitals, Israel Defence Forces, Homefront Command, School of Military Medicine and international contacts with academic allies. The research institute aims to develop unique methodological approaches and enhance emergency medicine and disaster related research.

For further information, please contact Dr. Limor Aharonson-Daniel: limorad@bgu.ac.il