Designing the structural model of temporary medical centers in biological emergencies

ABSTRACTConsidering the importance of getting prepared for biological accidents and emergencies caused by the spread of biological agents, it seems necessary to design and codify a specific structural model for the establishment of temporary medical centers and hospitals. The present study was designed to provide a structural model of temporary medical centers in biological emergencies. This is a mixed-method study devised to present a model for the establishment of temporary medical centers. Multi-criteria decision-making methods were implemented in the quantitative section. Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques, including Shannon entropy and TOPSIS, were used in this study to prioritize the components. The forms related to multi-criteria decision-making were designed by researchers according to the initial model, which were then completed by 15 experts. Also, 23 structural components of the model were prioritized and classified into four main categories (effective management, resources, infrastructure, and ideas). The categories were prioritized in terms of conceptual relevance as effective management, resources, infrastructure, and ideas, respectively. The results of this study can help to design temporary medical centers and manage biological emergencies more effectively in the future.KEYWORDS: Temporary medical centersbiological emergencydisasterrisk AcknowledgementsThe authors are very thankful to all the participants of the interview process for giving their valuable time and effort. In addition, the authors would also like to extend their gratitude to anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments and suggestions.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by Aja University of Medical Sciences.Notes on contributorsMaryam MoradiMaryam Moradi (as first author), Conception and design of the study, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data.Armin ZareiyanArmin Zareiyan, Analysis and interpretation of data, revising it critically for important intellectual content, final approval of the submitted version.Simintaj SharififarSimintaj Sharififar, Conception and design of the study, revising it critically for important intellectual content, final approval of the submitted version.Ali NasiriAli Nasiri, Revising for important intellectual content, final approval of the submitted version.Seyyed- Javad Hosseini ShokouhSeyyed- Javad Hosseini Shokouh, Revising for important intellectual content, final approval of the submitted version.