Developing a scale to measure Japanese nurses' individual readiness for deployment to disasters

Abstract

Japan is a disaster-prone country, and Japanese registered nurses (RN) should be evaluated for their individual readiness for unexpected dispatches. The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a scale for measuring individual readiness of Japanese RN for disasters. In our previous study in 2014, we developed a Japanese version of the Readiness Estimate and Deployability Index, which was originally developed in the USA in 1997. Considering the cultural and characteristic aspects of Japanese RN social skills, a preliminary version of the instrument was constructed in a pilot study. In the main survey, construct validity, internal consistency, and concurrent validity of the self-evaluation instrument were assessed in a sample of 964 RN, and its psychometric properties were evaluated. A six dimensional, 37 item tool called the Japanese Disaster Nursing Readiness Evaluation Index (JDNREI) was developed. The Cronbach's alpha for the scale was .93.The reliability of the six dimensions was acceptable, and the validity was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. The JDNREI, whose validity and reliability were evaluated, might enable RN to recognize and assess their level of individual readiness for future disasters. K E Y W O R D S disaster nursing, Japanese Disaster Nursing Readiness Evaluation Index, individual readiness, Japan, self-evaluation instrument, social skills

Survey of individual readiness of the emergency department nurses in dealing with disasters

“…In the study of Maeda et al, the lowest score was obtained for "clinical skills in the disaster response phase," followed by "teamwork communication skills," along with the two domains of "adaptability to stressful conditions in disaster site" and "cooperation skills" are essential for coordination and unity in disaster relief activities and were scored higher. And "adaptation to stressful situations in disaster sites" plays a crucial role in creating order and controlling the situation (20).…”

“…The above tool was designed by Maeda et al in 2017 in Japan (20). This tool was chosen because of the clear separation of domains in measuring nurses' preparedness and short and clear items.…”

Preparedness of members of the Indonesian emergency and disaster nurses association

“…The questionnaire had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.768. Lastly, the 33-question nurses' preparedness questionnaire adopted the Japanese Disaster Nursing Readiness Evaluation Index developed by Maeda, Kotera, Matsuda, and Huebner, (2018), using a four-point Likert scale with the following criteria: 4 for "always," 3 for "frequently," 2 for "occasionally," and 1 for "never" [16]. The last questionnaire was translated from English to Indonesian by a professional translator and expert in the field of disaster nursing, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.739, the statistical test for analyzing the relationship of knowledge and facilities and infrastructures availability to the preparedness of IEDNA members used a Fisher's exact test at a 95% significance level [17].…”

“…This is as reported by Ahmad, Ahsan and Fathoni, that 63.7% of the society never received any disaster preparedness knowledge or training, although if the society had an adequate knowledge of danger, vulnerability, risk, and disaster risk reduction activities, effective society action in facing disaster could be devised [29]. Maeda et al, mentioned six dimensions that can influence nurses' preparedness, namely, 1) communication skills for teamwork, 2) adaptability to stressful situations in a disaster location, 3) practical skills for disaster response, 4) emergency nursing skills, 5) cooperation skills, and 6) effective stress coping skills [16]. Another study also made a reference to four factors that can influence nurses' preparedness, namely, 1) critical thinking skills, 2) technical skills, 3) general diagnostics, and 4) communication skills [30].…”

Faktor Determinan Kesiapan Perawat Di Dua Rumah Sakit Daerah Banten Dalam Penugasan Kebencanaan

“…Populasi dari penelitian ini adalah perawat Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah (RSUD) Dr. Adjidarmo dan RSUD Dr. Dradjat Prawiranegara di Provinsi Banten. Survei dilakukan menggunakan adaptasi instrument yang dikembangkan oleh Maeda, Kotera, Matsuda, & Huebner (2018). Instrumen ini telah dikembangkan untuk mengkaji aspek kesiapan penugasan kebencanaan secara holistik dan telah disesuaikan untuk perawat.…”