A multi-institutional effort for temporary training of residents displaced by disaster: lessons from Katrina

Objective: This study was undertaken to describe a comprehensive, collaborative temporary residency training curriculum after disaster. Study Design: The Texas Southeast Alliance was created in response to the Katrina Disaster by regional obstetric/gynecology programs. Principles were devised to guide development of a temporary training curriculum. Learning opportunities were identified and pooled. Affected program directors were contacted who expressed interest in the curriculum which had been approved by institutional officials and appropriate regulatory bodies. Results: In total, 41 different training opportunities were made available to the Tulane residents. Twenty-four residents completed 92 rotations in total. Residents met weekly with their program director. Free psychiatric consultative services were provided through resident counseling services. Housing was facilitated wherever possible. Conclusion: Consolidation of resources by the Texas Southeast Alliance provided temporary training experiences for Tulane obstetric and gynecology residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Effective training can be maintained after disaster by coordinating institutional efforts and establishing governing principles.