Aiko Yamamoto

What was the role of nurses during the 2011 Great East Earthquake of Japan? An integrative review of the Japanese literature

BACKGROUND An earthquake and tsunami hit the east coast of Japan on March 11, 2011. Nurses were actively involved in the health response to this disaster and, subsequently, many authors have reported on the role nurses played in these efforts in Japanese nursing professional journals. Aim To describe the role of nurses who assisted in the 2011 Great East Earthquake of Japan by reviewing Japanese literature and reporting the findings in English. METHOD This research used an integrative literature review methodology. Manuscripts were obtained from the Japanese database Ichushi Ver. 5 (Japan Medical Abstracts Society, Tokyo, Japan). A total of 44 manuscripts were identified and included in a thematic analysis. RESULTS Three main themes were identified: (1) nursing roles, (2) specialized nursing roles, and (3) preparedness education. Nurses fulfilled different roles in the period after the disaster (ie, as a clinician, a communicator, a leader, and a provider of psychosocial support). Additionally, the specialized nurse role was identified, along with the need for preparedness education to support the nurses role in a disaster. CONCLUSION The understanding of the role of nurses in disasters is expanding. There is a need to further explore the roles of specialized nurses in disasters. Further disaster education opportunities should be available as a part of continuing education for all nurses. Radiation aspects of disaster assistance should be included in disaster education programs where there are radio-nuclear hazards present in the environment.

Development of disaster nursing in Japan, and trends of disaster nursing in the world.

AIM The aims of this paper are to describe what Japanese nurses have learned and contributed to disaster nursing development, and to review trends of disaster nursing in the world. METHODS The content of the paper is based on literature reviews. The description of the paper is also based on experiences by author. RESULTS Through experiences among Japanese nurses related to Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in Japan, development of nursing support network, academic societies of disaster nursing, nursing care provision system were accomplished. Disaster nursing education at undergraduate and graduate programs and continuing training have been started. Descriptive research and evaluation research have been conducted in the world. CONCLUSION Disaster nursing is one domain of nursing discipline generated from demands in reality and society. More research and capacity building related to disaster nursing are needed while facilitating development of networking and collaboration among relevant organizations.

Probable Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Its Predictors in Disaster-Bereaved Survivors: A Longitudinal Study After the Sichuan Earthquake

This study examined the trajectory of probable PTSD prevalence and severity, and analyzed the predictors for PTSD severity in bereaved survivors at 6 months and 18 months after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. This was a longitudinal study with 226 bereaved survivors sampled at 6 months and 18 months post-earthquake. The instrument used in the study was the revised version of the Impact of Event Scale. The results showed that the prevalence of probable PTSD in bereaved survivors decreased significantly from 38.9% at 6 months to 16.8% at 18 months post-earthquake. Loss of a child, being directly exposed to the death of family members and property loss during the earthquake, and mental health services utilization after the earthquake were significant predictors for PTSD severity at both assessments. These findings can contribute to post-disaster psychological rescue work. The bereaved survivors at high risk for more severe PTSD should be particularly targeted.

Japan: Pairing Support Activities Between Universities After the Great East Japan Earthquake

This case study shows how universities can support each other to help communities after the Tōhoku Earthquake on March 11, 2011. The University of Hyogo and Miyagi University had pairing activities that include offering health consultation and home visits to understand and help address the health conditions and health needs of residents affected by the disaster.