Community Pharmacists’ Insights and Knowledge on Disaster Management: An Online Survey in Flanders (Belgium)

Introduction: The objective of this research was to assess community pharmacists’ insights, knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to engage in disaster management via an online survey. Methods: Informed by a literature review, the survey was collaboratively developed and pilot-tested among a small group of pharmacists. Recruitment was facilitated through local pharmacists’ organizations. Analysis included descriptive statistics of the Likert scale questions and qualitative methods for open-ended questions. Results: The survey included 37 questions and received 160 complete and 50 partial responses. Most pharmacists recognized their specific role in emergency response and expressed willingness to fulfill it, showing greater readiness for health-related events. Many pharmacists reported insufficient preparedness and a lack of awareness of potential risks, with few having developed disaster preparedness plans. Pharmacists were significantly better prepared for local disease outbreaks and pandemics than for natural disasters or war. A small minority had undergone formal disaster management training, yet a large majority showed willingness to engage in further training initiatives, preferably through online platforms. The survey is currently being extended to the French-speaking region of Belgium. Additionally, we are exploring opportunities for collaboration in disaster management among pharmacists in various settings, including community, defense, and hospital environments. Conclusion: In Flanders, Belgium, pharmacists are not adequately equipped for emergencies but recognize their potential role and are open to pursuing additional education to enhance their disaster preparedness. The results should inform the development of training programs across different subdisciplines and could ultimately support the organization of simulation exercises.