The ESCAPE study intends to assess the possibility of recruiting students as surge capacity work force in hospitals in the event of a major medical incident such as an epidemic or pandemic.

The ESCAPE study intends to assess the possibility of recruiting students as surge capacity work force in hospitals in event of a major medical incident such as an epidemic or pandemic. The study consists of two parts:

• To identify the need for student surge capacity work force in relevant departments most affected by major medical incidents (e.g. Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, etc.). This part also raises the question of which tasks can be delegated to such a surge capacity workforce and which training may be required to prepare for such tasks.
• To identify and quantify the willingness of students to enroll as surge capacity workforce, identifying which tasks they would be willing to perform and which organisational framework is required for their work (training, insurance, pay, etc.).

Both subparts as planned as questionnaires to be completed voluntarily and anonymously.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Medical experts (heads of departements and other management positions) working in selected departments that are typically affected by major medical incidents at the time of questionnaire roll-out.
• Medical students >18 years of age of any year enrolled in the year 2023-2024 in any of the 38 medical faculties in Germany

Exclusion Criteria:

• none, as questionnaire participation was achieved by invitation of eligible volunteers

• Heads of departments typically affected by major medical incidents. These include: Emergency Department, Intensive Care Units, Intermediate Care Units, Medical and Surgical wards, Department for Microbiology, Department for Infectious Diseases, Department for Laboratory Medicine, Antibiotic Stewardship Team, Department for Tropical Medicine, Max-von-Pettenkofer Institute, Institute for Emergency Medicine, Faculty Dean's office. Included were: heads of departments and other members of leadership from the medical staff, nursing staff and other supporting staff.
• Medical students (aged 18 and over) in any year, currently studying at any of the 38 medical faculties in Germany.