The Effectiveness of Disaster Education for Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Knowledge, Willingness, and Perceived Ability: An Evaluation Study

Maria Shuk Yu Hung, Stanley Kam Ki Lam, Meyrick Chum Ming Chow, Winnie Wing Man Ng and Oi Kiu Pau
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Maria Shuk Yu Hung: School of Nursing, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong, China
Stanley Kam Ki Lam: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Meyrick Chum Ming Chow: School of Nursing, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong, China
Winnie Wing Man Ng: Division of Science, Engineering and Health Studies, College of Professional and Continuing Education, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
Oi Kiu Pau: School of Nursing, Tung Wah College, Hong Kong, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 19, 1-12

Abstract: As future healthcare professionals, nursing students should possess the appropriate knowledge, skills, and positive attitude to respond to public health emergencies or disasters worldwide. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a disaster management training course at improving Hong Kong nursing students’ disaster knowledge, willingness, and perceived ability. A mixed-method design using a single group with pre- and post-intervention comparisons followed by qualitative focus group interviews, was conducted. A 45-h disaster management training course with theoretical and practical inputs was conducted. A total of 157 students participated in and completed the pre- and post-intervention questionnaires. Positive significant results in disaster knowledge (t(156) = ?8.12, p < 0.01, d = ?0.84) and perceived ability (t(156) = ?7.95, p < 0.01, d = ?0.72) were found, but no substantial change in willingness to respond to disasters was observed. The participants expressed various concerns regarding their willingness to respond, which can be summarized and grouped as (1) personal risk perceptions, (2) contextual factors of the disaster events, and (3) organizational support. Incorporating disaster training into the tertiary education curricula for basic nursing professionals’ training could be a long-term strategy to prepare and expand the competent workforce for future disasters. Government or healthcare organizations are recommended to provide strategies and adequate support to alleviate nursing professionals’ concerns and enhance their willingness.

Keywords: knowledge; willingness; ability; disaster; training; nursing students (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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