Key Location Attributes of Disaster Medical Services Headquarters: Developing an Urban Health Care Disaster Preparedness Model

INTRODUCTION: The strategic location of health services headquarters during disasters is critical for effective emergency management. This research examines essential qualities necessary for managing health services in disaster scenarios, emphasizing infrastructure, communication, and resource management. METHODS: This study utilized an adapted qualitative analysis framework to develop a model for public health preparedness and disaster management, employing thematic analysis of six high-risk disaster scenarios. These scenarios were deliberately selected to encapsulate a range of challenges encountered during disaster response, with a particular emphasis on vulnerabilities and communication breakdowns. The analytical approach was tailored to align with the specific themes and intended outcomes of the study, facilitating a comprehensive exploration of the factors influencing effective health service management in disaster contexts. RESULTS: The findings illustrate significant risks associated with suboptimal headquarters location, particularly during earthquakes. Scenarios highlighted issues such as traffic congestion, structural vulnerabilities, and flooding that impede emergency response. These challenges lead to resource shortages and complicate public health interventions, while proximity to high-risk facilities poses additional threats. DISCUSSION: Analysis of the six scenarios revealed common themes: infrastructure damage, strain on emergency services, communication failures, access limitations, and mental health repercussions. The proposed model emphasizes risk assessment, infrastructure improvements, and community engagement to enhance resilience and response efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: This research underscores the need for strategically located health service headquarters to mitigate disaster risks. While the model offers insights into effective disaster management, its findings are not universally applicable, necessitating further research to refine preparedness strategies in varied contexts. A diagram representing the model's components is provided to enhance stakeholder understanding and facilitate implementation. The literature review concludes that the location and key characteristics of health service centers in disasters have been identified. In this regard, the research highlights a significant gap, presenting for the first time a city model that describes these aspects along with a diagram representing its components.