Enhancing Global Disaster Preparedness: A Scoping Review of the Current Integration of Situational Awareness and Disaster Mindset in Healthcare Education

Abstract

Current disaster medicine programs and simulation exercises often fail to adequately incorporate crucial elements such as situational awareness and a disaster mindset. This gap in training can significantly impact the effectiveness of healthcare professionals’ responses during real-world disasters and public health emergencies. In this review, we examined the literature to explore the critical role of situational awareness and a disaster mindset in enhancing healthcare provider preparedness for disaster events, proposing the integration of innovative technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality, to create immersive simulations that foster situational awareness and a resilient disaster mindset. Addressing this educational gap will improve healthcare professionals’ confidence and optimize patient outcomes during crises. © 2025 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.