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A disaster can cause a serious disruption to community life which can lead to substantial material damage, disruption of essential infrastructure, considerable displacement of people, many victims and significant social disruption.  

Disasters include disease pandemics and catastrophes such as natural or human-made disasters, can occur over a short or long period of time and can impact geographical areas ranging from small, local settings to larger, more widespread settings that can impact across national as well as international borders.  

Challenges for ethical consideration may include rationing of scarce resources, prioritising care to specific patients, withdrawing care and providing basic care rather than comprehensive treatment. This position statement serves to identify a range of those ethical challenges and highlight the major medical professional values and ethical principles that should guide doctors in their disaster response.  

To learn more, please read the AMA Position Statement 2022.

Details

1. Explain the impacts of a disaster on the community.
2. Outline the AMA position.
3. Recognise best practise when responding to a disaster.