Abstract

Abstract --In Taiwan there is still no standardized curriculum for training of emergency physicians about the health hazards related to weapons of mass destruction. To evaluate the real conditions of residency education in the related issues, we thus developed a survey to elucidate whether any formal training in biological weapons is conducted in emergency medicine programs; to determine the overall subjective ability of program directors or residency directors to recognize and clinically manage casualties of biological weapons agents; and to identify which resources might be used by emergency physicians to identify and treat biological warfare casualties. We also documented a baseline of current practices regarding biological weapons training in emergency medicine residency programs. The majority of respondents feel inadequately prepared to recognize and clinically manage casualties of biological warfare. About 75.0% of respondents were aware of appropriate protective equipment in their emergency department. The most common medical equipment mentioned was the use of the HEPA or specialty mask. Also notable in the responses was the mention of antidotes or equipment for chemical agents and cyanide poisoning.