Organizational structures, coordination, and financing mechanisms among governmental emergency medical teams in the European region: a cross-case analysis.
Frontiers in Public Health · 2026-01-01 · Qualitative study
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) are groups of health professionals and support staff who provide direct medical care during disasters, outbreaks, and conflicts. Defining strong EMT organizational structures, coordination, and financing mechanisms is a crucial part of EMT development and is expected to impact the timeliness and effectiveness of EMT response. Yet there is a lack of research exploring these aspects. This study aimed to map and compare organizational structures, coordination, and financing mechanisms of classified governmental EMTs in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region. METHODS: Qualitative document analysis and cross-case comparisons were used. Eight classified governmental EMTs in the European region shared documentation: DEMA - DEMH EMT2 (Denmark), NOR EMT (Norway), EMT2 Toscana (Italy), UK-EMT, Swiss Humanitarian Aid, START-AECID (Spain), L-EMT (Lithuania), and RO. EMT1 Bucharest (Romania). Documents were analyzed using both deductive and inductive selective coding, and themes were compared across cases using a matrix. RESULTS: While all adhering to the WHO EMT standards, EMTs exhibit considerable variation in organizational models. Some of the most notable differences are found in their organizational ownership and management, human resource management policies, deployment activation procedures, logistics arrangements, and EMT financial responsibility. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide insight into how governmental EMTs can be structured, which will guide countries in future EMT development and reform. Building on the foundations offered in this study, future research should generate evidence about key organizational policies and their practical implications.
Abstract © the authors or publisher, via PubMed. Reuse and removal
Tags
Implementation · Interagency collaboration · Low- and middle-income settings
Related articles
- Crossing Borders, Navigating Laws: Legal and Jurisdictional Complexities for Australian Who-Classified Emergency Medical Teams in International Disaster Operations. (Disaster Med Public Health Prep, 2026)
- International Emergency Medical Teams in the Aftermath of the 2015 Nepal Earthquake. (Prehosp Disaster Med, 2019)
- Emergency medical preparedness and response for mass gatherings: Papua New Guinea emergency medical team's experience during Pope Francis's 2024 visit. (Western Pac Surveill Response J, 2026)
- How the ARCH Project has Contributed to the Development of the ASEAN Regional Collaboration Mechanism on Disaster Health Management. (Prehosp Disaster Med, 2022)
- Impact of the ARCH Project on National Capacity Development on Disaster Health Management among the ASEAN Member States and Japan. (Prehosp Disaster Med, 2022)
- Introduction to the Project for Strengthening the ASEAN Regional Capacity on Disaster Health Management (ARCH Project). (Prehosp Disaster Med, 2022)