Psychosocial Disaster Learning Series

Information for Health Professionals

The five chapters of this learning series will provide participants with a refresher to a disaster psychosocial approach known as Psychological First Aid (PFA). The goal of this online session is to provide a foundational review of knowledge about a disaster psychosocial approach, tailoring it to our local needs in Alberta. Each chapter is intended to help update your knowledge prior to being deployed in a disaster responder role.

Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5

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This program is not intended to replace PFA training, but is to be used as a pre-deployment refresher of the skills you learned during your original training.

Chapter 1: Psychosocial Needs During a Disaster

After completing this chapter, participants will:

  • Understand what a disaster is;
  • See disasters through a psychosocial context;
  • Explain a psychosocial approach to a disaster response;
  • Understand the five elements of an effective psychosocial disaster response.

This is the first of five chapters within this learning series that will be released from March to August 2020.
Time required to complete course - 30 minutes
Pass Criteria - View all slides
Target Audience - Refresher course for those who have taken PFA
Course Requirements - Must have previously taken PFA
Course Prerequisites - None

Start Chapter 1

Chapter 2: PFA in Disaster Response

After completing this chapter, participants will:

  • Understand the history and evolution of PFA;
  • Describe what PFA is;
  • Recognize when PFA should be used and who may benefit;
  • Identify best practices.

This is the second of five chapters within this learning series that will be released from March to August 2020.
Time required to complete course - 30 minutes
Pass Criteria - View all slides
Target Audience - Refresher course for those who have taken PFA
Course Requirements - Must have previously taken PFA
Course Prerequisites – None

Start Chapter 2

Chapter 3: The Four Principles of PFA

After completing this chapter, participants will:

  • Explain the basic principles of PFA;
  • Understand the action principles of PFA;
  • Describe PFA best practices.

This is the third of five chapters within this learning series that will be released from March to August 2020.
Time required to complete course - 30 minutes
Pass Criteria - View all slides
Target Audience - Refresher course for those who have taken PFA
Course Requirements - Must have previously taken PFA
Course Prerequisites – None

Start Chapter 3

Chapter 4: Self-Care During a Disaster

After completing this chapter, participants will:

  • List possible stress reactions and personal red flags
  • Articulate ideas for supporting your self-care
  • Identify ways to care for yourself and others

This is the fourth of five chapters within this learning series.
Time required to complete course - 30 minutes
Pass Criteria - View all slides
Target Audience - Refresher course for those who have taken PFA
Course Requirements - Must have previously taken PFA
Course Prerequisites - None

Start Chapter 4

Chapter 5: Principles in Action

After completing this chapter, participants will:

  • Review three scenarios where PFA may be used in disaster response
  • Test your PFA knowledge in an interactive and responsive environment
  • Reflect on your PFA knowledge and ability to apply it to disaster response scenarios

This is the fifth of five chapters within this learning series.
Time required to complete course - 30 minutes
Pass Criteria - View all slides
Target Audience - Refresher course for those who have taken PFA
Course Requirements - Must have previously taken PFA
Course Prerequisites - None

Start Chapter 5

For more information, contact: hpdip.mh.earlyid@ahs.ca.