Hi Neil,
I'm not aware of much research on the communication and information needs of health professionals in conflict settings or in humanitarian settings more generally, but it is widely recognised that most of the health service provision in these settings are led and carried out by colleagues who do not have child health expertise and who receive limited, if any, support to care for children.
This paper (Humanitarian paediatrics: A statement of purpose <https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/articleid=10.1371/journal.p...)
lays out an argument for a need to recognise humanitarian paediatrics as a specialty that is distinct from "humanitarian health", "global health" or "global child health" - and that this distinction is necessary to safely and effectively respond to the health risks and needs of children. I hope it is helpful to colleagues on CHIFA.
As for quality of care, I think it is also worth considering the quality and safety of interventions. A recent systematic review <https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0004880> found that 80% of included studies on child public health interventions in conflict settings did not even mention whether or not safety of the
intervention was assessed. We do know, however, that humanitarian interventions can and have caused harm to populations they are meant to help. As such, the findings of the review are a rather shocking example of colonialism in the way studies are carried out, assessed, and reported.
There is a long way to go, not only in terms of ensuring providers and communities have access to information, but also to ensure that information is valid and safe.
Kind regards
Ayesha
CHIFA profile:
Ayesha Kadir is a paediatrician and works for Save the Children UK as the Senior Humanitarian Health Lead. She does a mix of clinical care, public health research, health policy, and advocacy. Her research and policy work focuses on the effects of migration, armed conflict, and other forms of violence on children and families and in finding ways to protect and promote child health and wellbeing.