Disaster preparedness of Hiroshima community health nurses: A mixed-method study

Abstract

The number of natural disasters has increased globally as a result of climate change. Community nurses become frontline workers in disaster-struck areas, protecting their clients from harm and risk. The number of community-based healthcare providers in Japan has increased in recent years, along with the shift from cure-focused acute healthcare to home-based care settings. Many studies have investigated the preparedness and willingness to provide care in the aftermath of a disaster. However, there is still a dearth of knowledge on disaster preparedness among community-based healthcare professionals globally. This study investigated the preparedness of community nurses in Hiroshima, Japan, focusing on nurses providing home-based care. A mixed method design was employed, and data were collected through surveys and interviews. The survey results indicated a positive association between disaster experience and training, as well as training and the existence of a disaster plan. Further, participants reported that healthcare providers neglected the preparation of disaster plans due to time constraints and a lack of incentives; our results suggest that incentives may promote disaster preparedness.

Keywords

• Community
• Nursing
• Disaster planning
• Business continuity plans