Psychological first aid training in disaster preparedness for nurses working with emergencies and traumas

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating the effects of a modified psychological first aid (PFA) training program on nurses' psychological preparedness for emergencies and disasters. Background: Nurses need to be psychologically prepared in order to mitigate the impact of conflicts and disasters. The PFA training could ensure their psychological preparedness in responding to different emergencies and disasters. Design: A nonequivalent controlled group trial was conducted between July 2019 and August 2019. Methods: Nurses working in the trauma units from five hospitals in Palestine were allocated into two arms: a control arm and an intervention arm incorporating a 9-hour modified PFA training program. Both groups were assessed at start (pretest) and upon completion of the program (post test) using a number of validated self-reports. Results: Eighty-four nurses were allocated to each arm, and 75 in each arm completed baseline data (n = 150). The results of generalized estimating equation estimates revealed that PFA training imposed a significant group-by-time effect on psychological preparedness (p = 0.013). The mean scores of psychological preparedness showed greater improvement in the intervention group than in the control group at posttest (37.81 vs. 32.64). Improved group-by-time effect was further identified in relation to optimism (p = 0.009), self-esteem (p = 0.008), and self-efficacy (p = 0.033). The intervention effect was large (Cohen d = 1.41). Conclusion:PFA training may help to build nurses' capacity in being better prepared to respond to psychological issues during and after emergencies and disasters. Implications for Nursing and Health Policy: Nurses should be adequately equipped with knowledge and skills to deal with different emergencies and disasters. Health policy needs to address psychological preparedness for emergencies and disasters of all healthcare workers. Healthcare policymakers and educators could adopt PFA training on a regular basis to consolidate psychological preparedness of nurses.

Effectiveness of Psychological First Aid E-learning on the Competence and Empathy of Nurses in Disasters: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…43 Also, in the study of Said et al, PFA training improved nurses' preparedness (knowledge, skills, optimism, selfesteem, and self-efficacy) during and after emergencies and disasters. 44 In this study, PFA training had an effect on 2 dimensions of empathy (reduction of personal distress and increase of perspective-taking). Perspective-taking is a kind of cognitive empathy and measures a person's efforts to see things from their point of view.…”

“…43 Also, in the study of Said et al, PFA training improved nurses’ preparedness (knowledge, skills, optimism, self-esteem, and self-efficacy) during and after emergencies and disasters. 44…”

Psychological first aid practice self‐efficacy of nurses in disasters

“…All nurses are expected to be knowledgeable about PFA and to be able to apply PFA at times of disaster (Everly et al, 2010;Kılıç & Şims ¸ek, 2018). Through PFA applications, nurses can assess risk factors in comprehensive care services and minimize the damage by determining the physical and psychological effects of the disaster on the individual, family, and society (Kılıç & Şims ¸ek, 2018;Said, 2021). Additionally, for nurses to maintain their functionality in disaster situations, they should provide PFA to themselves and their teammates (Oflaz, 2016).…”

Evaluation of a Culturally Adapted Online Basic Psychosocial Skills Training Program for International Frontline Workers in Under-Resourced Contexts During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…40 Frontline workers preference for online training, as well as difficulties securing time to engage in PFA have been reported previously, with some adaptations involving abridged programs for health workers. 8,21 However, since most evaluations of PFA training programs have occurred in middle/ high income countries, 8 issues of connectivity may be of more significance in the Global South, where participants may not only struggle with internet connection, but also access to, and cost of, internet data.…”

“…16,17,19 Psychological first aid (PFA) training can also mitigate the mental health impacts of pandemics and disasters by promoting frontline workers' resilience and recovery from distressing events, and providing frontline workers with the skills, confidence and preparedness to deliver psychosocial supports to patients and community. [20][21][22] PFA training programs have become increasingly popular in disaster medicine post 9/ 11, as risk of PTSD and psychological distress has become more widely understood and acknowledged. 8 There is no universal definition for PFA training and a wide variety of training resources exist, 8 including evaluated models such as PFA Field Operations Guide, 23 WHO PFA Guide, 24 and John Hopkins PFA Guide.…”