A Content Analysis of Disaster Nursing Education in Korean and Japanese Universities

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the contents of disaster nursing education at universities in Korea and Japan, with focus on textbooks. METHODS: Disaster nursing contents from 11 Korean community health nursing textbooks and 3 Japanese disaster nursing textbooks were analysed. RESULTS: Three themes and 8 categories of disaster nursing content in the selected textbooks were analyzed. The themes classified include ‘understanding of disaster’, ‘disaster management’ and ‘disaster management system’. The theme of ‘understanding of disaster’ consists of such categories as ‘disaster concept/outline’, ‘classification of disaster’, ‘disaster management step’ and ‘disaster impact’. The theme of ‘disaster management activities’ consists of categories such as ‘disaster management activities’ and ‘disaster nursing’. The theme of ‘national disaster management system’ consists of categories like ‘national disaster management system’ and ‘international disaster relief’. From the comparison of disaster nursing education in the two countries, we found that themes were similar but there were differences between the two countries in content configuration. Korea and Japan have adopted the framework of International Council of Nurses for disaster nursing education. Korea stressed legal and ethical capabilities, while Japan included psychological support for disaster management service providers. CONCLUSION: Disaster education is an important factor in a nurse's ability for a disaster management. Development of a comprehensive disaster education program is necessary to enhance disaster care capacities.

Comparison between Korean and Japanese Nursing Students in Their Disaster Preparedness

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify differences in disaster awareness, disaster preparedness, and nursing knowledge and practices between Korean and Japanese nursing students. METHODS: The study subjects were 4th grade nursing students who completed their nursing education in Korea or in Japan. 359 students from Korea and 135 students from Japan participated in this study. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 21.0. The χ2 test and the t-test were used to analyze the homogeneity of subjects' general characteristics and disaster-related characteristics. The comparison between the Korean and Japanese nursing students in disaster awareness, disaster preparedness, and nursing knowledge and practices were conducted using ANCOVA. RESULTS: The Korean nursing students' disaster awareness, disaster preparedness, and nursing knowledge and practice were different from their Japanese counterparts'. The Korean nursing students recognized that the system of disaster management in Korea was insufficient and the negligence of management was one of the causes of the disaster. They wanted to participate in activities for disaster preparedness education and management. CONCLUSION: A disaster nursing curriculum dealing with disaster awareness, disaster preparedness, and nursing knowledge and practices, should be developed, implemented, and evaluated particularly for Korean nursing students.