The conceptual framework for disaster medicine is weak and unstructured. There is a need to reinforce disaster medicine education and research with appropriate conceptual models. This paper outlines the development and structure of one such model—a “work-in-progress”.

A literature review of contemporary education programs in disaster medicine was performed and used to enhance the outcomes of the evolving framework of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM) Education Committee.

The literature review identified some consistent themes representing “new” thinking on conceptualizing the field of disaster medicine.

Four domains were constructed to develop a new framework for conceptualizing disaster medicine, namely: an expanded disaster health framework developed by the WADEM Education committee, which includes the primary disciplines of public health (the collective), emergency and risk management (the organizational), the clinical and psychosocial (the individual), secondary disciplines, the community, and, the socio-political-cultural context; a contemporary view of the disaster cycle; the disaster epidemiology of the region; and the generic personal attributes expected of the humanitarian professional.

The consequent model demonstrates the relationships between these domains.

As a “work-in-progress”, this model has been used to successfully guide the development of undergraduate and graduate programs in emergency preparedness and disaster health. The model provides a framework for common communication and subsequent modification in the light of further research and discussion.