Managing Post-Disaster Primary Health Care: Experiences of Public Health Professionals After the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake

Abstract

Objectives To explore the post-earthquake experiences and perspectives of public health specialists, with a particular focus on the delivery of public health services following the 2023 Kahramanmara & scedil; earthquake.Methods This qualitative study employed a phenomenological approach, aiming to capture lived experiences and contextual understanding of the situation. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 public health specialists. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via in-depth interviews and analyzed thematically using multiple coding by the research team.Results Public health specialists reported experiencing stress, burnout, and housing difficulties due to increased workloads and suboptimal working conditions, despite also expressing a sense of professional fulfillment in crisis management. Key challenges included problems in temporary housing, infectious disease control, and insufficient coordination in primary healthcare services and community-based approaches. Poor coordination, vague job roles, and inadequate training and resources were cited as significant barriers to effective disaster response.Conclusion The main challenges following the earthquake included increased workloads and unclear role definitions. These findings underscore the importance of establishing pre-defined job descriptions and clear lines of authority to improve disaster preparedness and response in the health sector.