Beirut Blast: The Experiences of Acute Care Hospitals.

Mass Casualty Incidents recently increased in intensity and frequency at an unprecedented rate globally. On August 4, 2020, a massive blast hit the Port of Beirut severely damaging its healthcare sector. This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of the Beirut blast on acute care hospitals in the Beirut area, with a focus on understanding healthcare professionals' (HCPs) responses and encountered challenges. A qualitative research design method was adopted to evaluate the experiences of HCPs at acute hospitals located within 5 kilometers of the blast epicenter. 9 hospitals participated in the study. 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informant HCPs using a designed interview guide. HCPs reported severe infrastructural damages in their corresponding hospitals, and 2 were completely non-functional post-blast. Other than physical injuries sustained by HCPs, the blast imposed substantial strains on their mental health, exacerbated by the ongoing socio-economic crises in Lebanon. Moreover, the findings revealed critical challenges which hindered hospitals' emergency responses at the level of communication, coordination, and human resources, as well as supplies. Participants urged for the need to conduct proper triage, arrange emergency operating centers, and deploy outdoor treatment tents among others, to effectively respond to future disasters. The Beirut blast overwhelmed the Lebanese healthcare system and challenged its level of emergency preparedness. This generated evidence to address the deficiencies and strengthen the existing hospitals' emergency response plans. Future efforts should include prioritizing hospitals' emergency preparedness to ensure the provision of care at increased capacity following the impact of a large-scale disaster.

Teaching Social Marketing Using E-Service Learning Amidst Health and Humanitarian Crises: A Case Study from Lebanon.

We present the design, implementation, and evaluation of an e-service learning course, "Social Marketing for Health Promotion", offered to full-time and part-time students enrolled in the Master of Public Health at our institution. In a quasi-experimental trial, we introduced e-service learning in 2018, comparing a traditional face-to-face section to a blended course (33% online). Based on the positive feedback received, we progressively increased the online component in the following academic years, reaching 100% online in Fall 2020. We compared the quantitative and qualitative indicators evaluating three e-service learning-course iterations with a face-to-face control. The impact indicators included participation and engagement in the course, the attainment of the learning outcomes, satisfaction with the course, instructors and mode of delivery, and the impact of the experience beyond the classroom. Over the years, we trained 73 students whose engagement with the course remained relatively stable. The attainment of the learning outcomes and general course satisfaction steadily increased over time, demonstrating a positive impact on student learning. Qualitative data illustrate the importance of instructors in setting expectations and guiding students and community partners through a remote-learning process.