Literature review of disaster health research in Japan: focusing on disaster nursing education.

Abstract

This study summarizes current research trends and issues for disaster nursing in Japan. Evaluation was frequently the primary objective of studies. This literature search showed that a wide variety of disaster nursing studies came to the conclusion that research influences practice. Disasters affect not only the institutional setting within an acute hospital locale but also affects people in communities, with the nurses roles expected to expand to the area of disaster nursing. The Japanese nursing curriculum revision in 2009 will influence disaster nursing education, and it is expected that there will be a variety of future studies. Education in disaster nursing is an important hub to build up the capacity in the community. Further development in this area of study is expected to explore evidence-based methodology including the theoretical framework for disaster nursing.