Course Pediatric Considerations in Disasters for Resource-Constrained and Rural Settings: Interactive Case Scenarios (Required for CE)

Interactive Cases: The Emotional Impact of Disaster on Children and Families

Step into interactive global child health scenarios focused on the emotional impact of disaster on children and families. This activity challenges learners to recognize how disasters, displacement, loss, uncertainty, and disrupted routines can affect children’s emotional well-being, caregiver functioning, and family resilience in crisis and resource-limited settings.

Through realistic decision points, learners take an active role in identifying signs of distress, supporting children and caregivers, and applying developmentally appropriate communication strategies during and after a disaster. The scenarios emphasize the unique emotional and behavioral needs of children following emergencies, including fear, grief, separation concerns, changes in behavior, and the importance of caregiver support, safety, routine, and connection.

In this problem-based learning exercise, available in both English and Spanish, you will learn:

• Recognition of emotional and behavioral responses to disaster in children and families
• Identification of children and caregivers who may need additional support
• Developmentally appropriate communication with children during crisis situations
• Strategies to promote psychological safety, stabilization, and family resilience
• The role of caregivers, routines, and trusted relationships in recovery
• Interprofessional communication and referral considerations for mental health and psychosocial support
• Application of global child health principles to the emotional care of children and families affected by disaster