Background
The development of disaster medicine has been intensified within the last decades due to the increased risk for major incidents, global terrorism and natural disasters including climate changes. As a result of this renewed interest, the need for a better scientific basis for both the research and education (methodology and teaching) within this young speciality has been recognized.
Traditionally, research and development in disaster medicine has been characterized as reports and feedback gained from major incidents and disasters, a descriptive science without any major scientific assessment of methodology and results. Thus, there is a great need for research within this multidisciplinary field.
During the last years PKMC (Pre-hospital Disaster Medicine Centre) in Gothenburg has taken new steps investing in research and development in the field by inviting interested researchers to work with the centre. The result of this investment has been a growing number of publications, ongoing and planned projects, and participation in various national and international meetings.