Advanced Master in Disaster Medicine 
This master provides a clear picture of current concepts and developments in the strategic and tactical management of the medical aspects of disasters.
It provides you with a number of skills which are important in the pursuance of disaster management:
- leadership
- decision making
- communication
- coordination skills
- stress management
- working in multidisciplinary teams
- the use of information technology
You also learn to to teach and train disaster medical management at health professions schools and perform research in order to contribute to the further development of disaster medicine as an academic discipline. This master gives you the possibility to be included in a worldwide network of disaster medical professionals.
Course outline & programme
Number of ECTS: 60
Duration: 1 year
Courses via e-learning platform
In cooperation with: Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
Co-organizing insititutions: Katastrofmedicinskt Centrum, Linköping, Sweden; University of Calfornia Irvine,
US; Université de Genève et Hôpitaux Univeritaires de Genève, Switzerland.
Supported by the World Health Organization, The International Committee of the Red Cross and the European
Society for Emergency Medicine
The main aim of the Master in Disaster Medicine is to improve the competence in disaster medicine and the disaster medical competencies for health professionals in order to form high-level professionals qualified to work as academics, staff members or field workers for international, governmental, and non-governmental organizations.
The management of the medical effects of a disaster is one of the most difficult tasks to be performed by medical personnel. It requires specific knowledge, the ability to plan and organize a health system, adapted to the disaster situation and the professional skill to provide medical care of high quality in an austere environment. Many recurring difficulties or problems that plague the medical response in disasters are due to insufficient education and training of the involved personnel, poor understanding of the medical disaster plans, procedures and protocols and low levels of skill and experience.
Therefore, an appropriate education and training in all aspects of disaster medicine are essential for planners, key personnel and all actors involved in the disaster medical and health response. This will necessitate the educational involvement of academic authorities in association with qualified professionals in disaster medicine and disaster management.
The learning outcomes of this master are:
- to assess the epidemiological and health risks in disaster situations
- to participate in the medical preparedness and planning for disasters
- to direct the medical response in disaster situations
- to master the medical managerial and care aspects of specific disasters
- to organize and manage the psychological support of disaster victims and rescuers
- to organize and manage evaluation and debriefing sessions
- to organize education and training in disaster medicine and disaster medical management
- to master the medical managerial aspects in complex humanitarian emergencies
- to understand the legal and ethical aspects in disaster management and
- to supervise, develop and conduct research on the medical aspects of disasters
Didactic Concept
The master consists of different parts that you must complete successfully:
- A structured, self-directed study under faculty guidance on competence-based didactic activities, integrated in an e-learning curriculum and provided on the EMDM website. The educational materials are reinforced by discussion forums and complemented by electronic simulation exercises
- A two-week residential session, during which you meet the faculty and interact in debates and exercises, assessing your ability to apply an integrated knowledge base, meant for solving problems in disaster situations
- A thesis related to a topic of disaster medicine or disaster medical management, under the supervision of a local tutor and a faculty member
- A final online examination provided on the Internet, composed of an electronic simulation exercise and a multiple choice questionnaire
Admission requirements
You have a university master degree in a subject of health care, health management, or public health.
All necessary information regarding the admission requirements, deadlines and application forms can be found on the website of Master of Disaster Medicine.
Language requirements
In order to be admitted, you need to be proficient in English. The language requirements can be found on the website.
Career opportunities
As a graduate of the Master in Disaster Medicine you can be assigned to following positions:
- Advisor and/or manager of disaster medical management in local, regional and federal administrations
- Officer responsible for the hospital disaster management
- Advisor and/or manager of disaster medical management in international organizations (UN, WHO, OCHA....)
- Executive officer in non-governmental organizations responsible for disaster medical management
- Responsible staff member for education in disaster medicine in medical schools
- Researcher in the medical aspects of disasters in academic centres
Our student service
Students at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel are not just mere numbers. A lot of attention goes to making sure that you can study in the best possible situation. There are numerous staff members ready to assist you and give advice on all topics related to student life: practical information, medical assistance and finance, study planning, sports and culture, health, transport, housing and food, etc.
For all kinds of help, advice and support, visit the web pages of ‘Student Facilities’.
For more information
- website Research Group on Disaster Medicine
- website European Master of Disaster Medicine
- Prof. M. Debacker (michel.debacker@vub.ac.be) or Prof. I. Hubloue (ives.hubloue@uzbrussel.be)
An overview of all Master and Postgraduate programmes taught in English at the VUB can be found in the brochure Student (on top) of the world (970 KB).