Exploring the Functionality and Challenges of EMT Members and EMTCC on WHO EMT MDS Data Collection Tools: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: WHO adopted the Japanese-Surveillance in Post-Extreme Emergencies and Disasters (J-SPEED) concept under the name EMT Minimum Data Set (MDS) as a data collection tool to be used globally in 2017, and it was first utilized in the 2019 Idai Cyclone in Mozambique. Despite its widespread use, there has been a lack of investigation into the perspectives of EMT members and EMT Coordination Cells (EMTCC) regarding the effectiveness and challenges of the WHO EMT MDS tools during disasters. This study examines the effectiveness and difficulties encountered by EMT members and EMTCC using the WHO EMT MDS data collection tools in disaster contexts. Methods: An exploratory qualitative design was employed. A semi-structured interview was conducted among thirty-three EMT members, and in-depth interviews were carried out among ten EMTCC members overseas via video conferencing. It comprises questions addressing the type of MDS tools used, simplicity, usefulness, timeliness, data quality, and any challenges encountered in data collection and handling during disasters. The data obtained were subjected to analysis through thematic analysis. Results: Thirty-three EMT members indicated that WHO EMT MDS data collection tools positively impacted data collection efficiency and patient care in disasters. Identified challenges included human resources, technical issues, infrastructure, and items in the MDS tools. The findings from ten EMTCC representatives yielded six themes: accessibility and quality of data collection tools; benefits of MDS data collection tools, provision of training for data entry to new EMT members, challenges faced during coordination; and recommendations to improve the data collection tools. Conclusion: The outcome of the study will elucidate the strengths and limitations of MDS data collection tools, contributing to evidence for the guidelines and a video for the effective use of WHO EMT MDS tools by EMT members during disasters and medical emergencies for international efforts to improve disaster response outcomes.