Abstract
Objective
The Louisiana Health Science Center/Ochsner Hospital psychiatric residency was displaced in August 2005 by Hurricane Katrina to multiple state hospitals and clinics throughout Louisiana. The program encountered many difficulties and learned many lessons about disaster preparedness.
Methods
The LSU/Ochsner Residency Director at the time of Hurricane Katrina chronicles challenges in reestablishing educational program infrastructure in the face of a disaster.
Results
Seven caveats of disaster preparedness and program reestablishment are outlined.
Conclusion
No program can be completely prepared for the unpredictable nature of a sudden disaster, which disrupts an entire residency program years in the making. However, an analysis of the LSU Health Science Center psychiatric residency reveals seven caveats which may help other residency programs in case of a future disaster.
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At the time of submission, Dr. Griffies declared no competing interests.
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Griffies, W.S. Post-Katrina Stabilization of the LSU/Ochsner Psychiatry Residency Program: Caveats for Disaster Preparedness. Acad Psychiatry 33, 418–422 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.33.5.418
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.33.5.418