Database of Health Workforce Innovations
688
Medical reserve corps volunteers in disasters
Recent examples of incidents in which volunteer health professionals have contributed to the response effort include the Boston Marathon bombing (2013), Hurricane Sandy (2012), the Joplin tornado (2011), and the H1N1 influenza pandemic (2009) (Figure 2). When not responding to emergencies, MRC units provide support to local public health efforts, including routine vaccination campaigns, blood pressure screenings, and other health-related activities.
The first national mobilization of MRC units was the 2005 response to Hurricane Katrina. Approximately 1,500 MRC volunteers participated in an optional deployment to the Gulf Coast region to provide medical care, primarily in ARC shelters.10,15 An additional 6,000 volunteer health professionals were involved in activities organized by their local MRC units, including providing care to evacuees.
Units and Workforce—In 2012, the DCVMRC listed 982 locally based units, which vary in size based on geographic location. In total, there were more than 200,000 volunteer health professionals registered with MRC units in 2012. The mean unit size was 210 volunteers. Among these volunteers, there was a wide range of training and professional backgrounds, including physicians (7%), nurses (28%), emergency medical technicians and paramedics (5%), public health personnel (11%), and other health providers (11%). The remaining 38% were nonmedical volunteers who, despite not having medical training, contributed valuable services including logistics, technical support, and legal services. The MRC has continued to grow over time. Using Frasca's reported MRC enrollment in 2009 as a baseline, MRC membership grew by 8% between 2009 and 2012.1
Units and Workforce—In 2012, the DCVMRC listed 982 locally based units, which vary in size based on geographic location. In total, there were more than 200,000 volunteer health professionals registered with MRC units in 2012. The mean unit size was 210 volunteers. Among these volunteers, there was a wide range of training and professional backgrounds, including physicians (7%), nurses (28%), emergency medical technicians and paramedics (5%), public health personnel (11%), and other health providers (11%). The remaining 38% were nonmedical volunteers who, despite not having medical training, contributed valuable services including logistics, technical support, and legal services. The MRC has continued to grow over time. Using Frasca's reported MRC enrollment in 2009 as a baseline, MRC membership grew by 8% between 2009 and 2012.1
- Solidarity staffing (eg deployments to/from other jurisdictions)
- Cross-sector staff deployments
- Other
- Nurse Practitioners*
- Nurse Specialists*
- Nurses - Licensed Practical
- Nurses - Registered
- Paramedics
- Physicians - Emergency
- Physicians - Intensive Care
- Physicians - Primary/Family
- Physicians - Specialists
- Public Health Workers
- Volunteers
- Other Health Care Workers
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) was established in the Office of the Surgeon General in response to the spontaneous but disorganized outpouring of medical volunteers following the terrorist attacks of 2001. The mission of the federal MRC office is to provide organizational structure and guidance to the nearly 1,000 locally organized and funded MRC units that have grown up across the country and the more than 200,000 volunteer health professionals that staff these units.
- Community Health Services
- Critical Care
- Diagnostic Services
- Emergency Medical Services
- Home Care Services
- Hospitals
- Long-Term Care
- Mental Health Services
- Primary Health Care
- Public Health
Formal Strategy
Watson, M., Selck, F., Rambhia, K., Morhard, R., Franco, C., & Toner, E. (2014). Medical reserve corps volunteers in disasters: a survey of their roles, experiences, and challenges. Biosecurity and bioterrorism : biodefense strategy, practice, and science
Matthew Watson
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UPMC Center for Health Security
United States
USa