Comparison of Two Evacuation Shelter Operating Policies and the Role of Public Health Nurses after the Great East Japan Earthquake: A Qualitative Study

Hiroko Mori, Shuichi P. Obuchi, Yasuhiro Sugawara, Takeo Nakayama and Ryutaro Takahashi
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Hiroko Mori: Human Care Research Team, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
Shuichi P. Obuchi: Human Care Research Team, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
Yasuhiro Sugawara: Human Care Research Team, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan
Takeo Nakayama: Department of Health Informatics, Kyoto University School of Public Health, Kyoto 606-7501, Japan
Ryutaro Takahashi: Human Care Research Team, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo 173-0015, Japan

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 22, 1-18

Abstract: This study describes shelter operations by public health nurses (PHNs) in Kesennuma City, located near the epicenter of the Great East Japan Earthquake, which occurred on March 11, 2011. The data were semi-structured interviews with 10 PHNs, 2 nutritionists, and 2 general administrators conducted from July 2013 to January 2014. All transcripts were analyzed using the constructivist grounded theory approach. We identified two operating methods for shelters: shelters stationed by PHNs in the Old City, and shelters patrolled by PHNs in the merged district. These methods were compared using four themes. In emergency situations, “operational periods,” a predetermined short term for a leader to perform his/her duties responsibly, could be adopted for relatively small organizations on the frontline. PHNs must not only attempt to operate shelters on their own but also encourage residents to manage the shelters as well. Moreover, human resource allocation should be managed independently of personal factors, as strong relationships between shelter residents would sometimes disturb the flexibility of the response. Even when a situation requires PHNs to stay in shelters, frequent collecting of information and updating the plan according to response progress will help to maintain effective shelter operations.

Keywords: operating shelter; disaster response; the Great East Japan Earthquake; public health nurses; qualitative research; operational period; human resource allocation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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