"The Impact of Specialized Training Course on Pre-clinical Medical Students' in Tripoli University, Libya

Overview

In recent years, Libya has faced many serious disasters that show the need for better disaster preparedness. One of the worst events was Storm Daniel in Derna in 2023, which caused heavy flooding, many deaths, and the displacement of thousands of people. Other areas, like Tarhuna and Aslitan, also suffered from floods and water leaks. These events showed that local communities are very vulnerable to natural hazards. In addition to natural disasters, Libya still faces problems from ongoing conflicts and armed clashes. These situations have caused injuries, deaths, displacement, and danger from landmines and unexploded bombs. Together, these problems show the urgent need for organized disaster medicine training, especially for medical students, who can help during emergencies. This study will test how well a structured disaster medicine training program works for pre-clinical medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tripoli. The training will include theory and practice, led by two groups: (1) university teachers who are experts in clinical skills and emergency response, and (2) the Libyan Red Crescent team, whose members have more than 10-20 years of experience in disasters and emergencies. The program will cover important topics, including: introduction to disasters, disaster response, first aid, psychological support, communication and coordination during emergencies, preventing disease outbreaks, volunteer safety, environmental sanitation, handling war remnants and landmines, and management of dead bodies. This approach will help students gain both technical skills and confidence to respond to emergencies. The study will use a randomized controlled trial design. Students will be divided into an intervention group (receiving the training) and a control group (no training during the study). The intervention group will get at least 20-30 hours of training. To check learning, both groups will do a baseline knowledge test, then a mid-test, and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). The OSCE will use scenarios that were checked and approved by emergency doctors, disaster experts, and university teachers. The tests will be double-blind, meaning the students' identities will be hidden using ID codes to keep results fair. All data will be collected and analyzed following international research rules and statistical guidelines. Written consent will be obtained from all students before participating. The goal of this study is to show if structured disaster medicine training improves the knowledge, skills, and readiness of pre-clinical students. The results will help improve medical education in Libya and could also be used as a model for other countries with limited resources or ongoing conflicts, contributing to better disaster preparedness worldwide.

In recent years, Libya has faced many serious disasters that show the need for better disaster preparedness. One of the worst events was Storm Daniel in Derna in 2023, which caused heavy flooding, many deaths, and the displacement of thousands of people. Other areas, like Tarhuna and Aslitan, also suffered from floods and water leaks. These events showed that local communities are very vulnerable to natural hazards. In addition to natural disasters, Libya still faces problems from ongoing conflicts and armed clashes. These situations have caused injuries, deaths, displacement, and danger from landmines and unexploded bombs. Together, these problems show the urgent need for organized disaster medicine training, especially for medical students, who can help during emergencies. This study will test how well a structured disaster medicine training program works for pre-clinical medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tripoli. The training will include theory and practice, led by two groups: (1) university teachers who are experts in clinical skills and emergency response, and (2) the Libyan Red Crescent team, whose members have more than 10-20 years of experience in disasters and emergencies. The program will cover important topics, including: introduction to disasters, disaster response, first aid, psychological support, communication and coordination during emergencies, preventing disease outbreaks, volunteer safety, environmental sanitation, handling war remnants and landmines, and management of dead bodies. This approach will help students gain both technical skills and confidence to respond to emergencies. The study will use a randomized controlled trial design. Students will be divided into an intervention group (receiving the training) and a control group (no training during the study). The intervention group will get at least 20-30 hours of training. To check learning, both groups will do a baseline knowledge test, then a mid-test, and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). The OSCE will use scenarios that were checked and approved by emergency doctors, disaster experts, and university teachers. The tests will be double-blind, meaning the students' identities will be hidden using ID codes to keep results fair. All data will be collected and analyzed following international research rules and statistical guidelines. Written consent will be obtained from all students before participating. The goal of this study is to show if structured disaster medicine training improves the knowledge, skills, and readiness of pre-clinical students. The results will help improve medical education in Libya and could also be used as a model for other countries with limited resources or ongoing conflicts, contributing to better disaster preparedness worldwide. Aims and objectives of the study : 1. To assess the baseline knowledge and preparedness of pre-clinical medical students in disaster medicine. 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of structured disaster medicine training in improving students' theoretical knowledge. 3. To evaluate the effectiveness of structured disaster medicine training in improving students' practical skills through OSCE scenarios. 4. To enhance students' confidence and readiness to participate in real-life disaster and emergency situations. 5. To provide recommendations for integrating disaster medicine training into the undergraduate medical curriculum in Libya. any ethical issues that might arise from the proposed study and how they are be addressed : * Voluntary participation: All students will participate voluntarily and can withdraw at any time without any penalty. * Informed consent: Written informed consent will be obtained before any training or assessment. * Confidentiality: Students' identities will be protected using coded IDs, and all data will be analyzed anonymously. * Double-blinded assessments: Both intervention and control groups will be assessed under double-blind conditions to prevent bias. * Minimizing risk: All practical exercises and OSCE scenarios will be conducted under supervision of experienced trainers from the Libyan Red Crescent, following safety guidelines. * Compliance with international standards: The study will follow ethical guidelines and international research protocols.