An exploration of nurses’ perceptions on disaster risk awareness and disaster nursing preparedness and management in a long-term care facility

Abstract

Background. In Malta, over a thousand elderly individuals reside in long-term care facilities (Formosa, 2019). Given the unpredictability of disasters, their preparedness is of paramount importance. However, the perspectives of nurses in Malta on disaster risk awareness and disaster nursing preparedness are largely unexplored. Aim. This study aims to explore long-term care nurses' perceptions in Malta on disaster risk awareness and their roles in disaster nursing preparedness and management. Method. An exploratory-descriptive qualitative (EDQ) approach was adopted for this study, involving face-to-face interviews with eight experienced charge nurses from a major state-owned long-term care facility in Malta. Thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke’s inductive method, was used to analyse the data, allowing themes to emerge naturally from the interviews. Findings. Analysis revealed three key themes: Disaster Risk Awareness, Disaster Nursing Strategies, and Strengthening Resilience. The findings underscore the crucial role of nurses in crises, highlighting a significant need for specialised training to enhance adaptability and preparedness. Despite observed improvements in resilience, challenges in ensuring comprehensive disaster protection remain. Recommendations. The study recommends integrating comprehensive disaster awareness training into nursing education, emphasising Malta's unique cultural context. It also advocates for regular policy reviews, the establishment of clear disaster preparedness protocols, specialised response teams, and the development of multidisciplinary collaborations and tiered evacuation plans in care facilities. Future Research. Future research should include perspectives from a broader range of healthcare stakeholders and examine new facility extensions to gain a more holistic understanding of disaster preparedness in Malta. Conclusion. The study concludes that nurses are central to effective disaster management in long-term care settings in Malta. Their insights offer valuable guidance for enhancing policies and practices, emphasizing the necessity of continuous training, policy revisions, and collaborative strategies for effective disaster management.