The increasing risk of disasters worldwide poses challenges both to health care infrastructures and to home care providers, who must maintain decentralised services for those in need of long-term care for as long as possible, even under adverse circumstances. However, both the kind of organisational precautions that home care providers consider in preparation for disasters and the available evidence on the effectiveness of these precautions remain largely unclear. An integrative literature review was thus performed via a systematic search of several international databases in order to identify original research on organisational disaster planning by home care providers and to determine the evidence base of this research. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Of the 286 results, 12 articles met the inclusion criteria and presented results from nine studies on disaster planning. Three overarching types of activities carried out by home care providers were identified inductively. The overall scientific quality of the studies was moderate, and none investigated the effectiveness of disaster planning by home care providers. Despite the variety of possible activities that home care providers already consider, evidence on how to make organisational disaster planning effective and sustainable remains lacking.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of the injury awareness and prevention programme P.A.R.T.Y. (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth) in Germany. On a designated P.A R.T.Y. day, school classes spend a day in a trauma hospital experiencing the various wards through which a seriously injured person goes. A further goal of the study was to reveal indications of the programme’s mechanism of action by testing theory-based impact models of fear appeals and cognitive beliefs. Methods: In a quasi-experimental longitudinal study with three measurement times the participants of 19 P.A.R.T.Y. days (n = 330), as well as pupils who did not attend the programme (n = 244), were interviewed with a standardised questionnaire. They reported risk behaviour, feelings of threat and cognitive beliefs about road traffic. The data were analysed using a meta-analytical approach to estimate an average effect size across the different P.A.R.T.Y. days. Path models were used to identify possible mechanisms of action. Results: For most of the parameters, small positive effects could be proven immediately after the P.A.R.T.Y. intervention. However, after four to 5 months only one statistically significant effect was found. Using path analytical models, important predictors for behavioural changes (e.g. self-efficacy) could be identified. But for these predictors no or only short-term effects were observed in the meta-analysis. Conclusions: Fear appeals as used primarily in the P.A.R.T.Y. programme appear to cause behavioural changes only to a limited extent and only in the short-term, especially if the strengthening of psychosocial resources is not given sufficient consideration. The participants must also cognitively process the experiences in the hospital. Accordingly, consideration should be given to how the P.A.R.T.Y. program could be adapted to complement the fear appeal with cognitive components.

Background: Given the global increase in disasters, nurses play a critical role in ensuring the protection of individual and public health even under adverse circumstances. However, in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the role and mandate of nurses in disasters are unclear, which can lead to uncertainty among disaster responders, decision‐makers, and nurses themselves. Aim: The RAP ^KAT study (The Role and Mandate of Nurses in Emergencies, Crises, and Disasters) aimed to examine the role and mandate of nurses in disasters from the perspective of experts across three German‐speaking countries. Methods: A modified multi‐stage Delphi design was conducted, using the DELPHISTAR checklist to report on this study. Following an initial round‐table symposium with experts from the field of nursing, three increasingly standardized online surveys were conducted. The panel of participants was gradually expanded to include experts from related fields and professions. Results: Participants from German‐speaking countries strongly agreed on the need to clearly define and codify the role and mandate of nurses in disaster situations. Experts, particularly nurses, called for the inclusion of disaster nurses in leadership and decision‐making bodies. However, participants also noted that disaster nursing competencies in these countries are not yet sufficiently developed to meet the expected standards. Conclusion: To ensure that nurses can respond appropriately to disasters, their role and mandate must be defined, codified, and systematically implemented. Additionally, disaster nursing competencies should be systematically developed through education. Implications for nursing and nursing policy: The responsibility for defining the role and mandate of nurses lies with the profession itself. Nurses must reach a consensus with policymakers on these definitions and ensure that they are codified, allowing healthcare systems to implement them effectively.

Aim: In 2019, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) published a revised version of the Core Competencies in Disaster Nursing, followed in 2022 by a supplement for nurses in Medical Emergency Teams. Both publications received a great deal of international attention but were hardly noticed in German-speaking countries. The aim of this project was to support the dissemination and application of this competence framework by developing a translated and culturally adapted German version.Methods: A multistage, consensus-based translation and cultural adaptation process was carried out together with the nursing associations in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, followed by open access publication and systematic dissemination.Results: After the ICN gave its approval, the competency framework was translated and culturally adapted, considering the various professional laws for nurses, health and disaster management systems of the participating countries and linguistic and cultural specificities. After completion and approval by all partners involved, dissemination began. The German version of the ICN Core Competencies in Disaster Nursing (2019/2022) was published online (2024) and sent directly to renowned nurse educators and decision makers, followed by cross-national webinars for the professional public.Conclusions: These activities are expected to ensure that the ICN Core Competencies are recognized and implemented in vocational and undergraduate education to help the nurse workforce in the German-speaking countries to be better prepared for future disasters. In addition, they can serve as a basis for research activities in implementation and educational research, for curriculum development or for the development of culturally adapted assessment tools.

Background: Providing complex care and support for people with technology dependence (PwTD) is challenging, even under routine conditions. During disasters, when health and power infrastructure are disrupted, the complex care of PwTD must be maintained under extreme conditions. This research aims to summarize the specific needs of PwTD in disasters and to describe how these needs are addressed in real-life events. Methods: We conducted a scoping review, searching four databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, SocINDEX) and the websites of relevant disaster relief organizations. A total of 43 of 2625 screened records were included. Content analysis was used to identify and cluster the needs of PwTD and the response to these needs. Results: Case reports were the most reported types of literature. It was repeatedly stated that PwTD have complex care needs that are often difficult to meet in disaster situations. The review identified three interdependent clusters of needs: clinical and supportive care needs, aids and supply needs, and access needs. The needs of patients and relatives were, as far as the situation allowed, met in accordance with existing plans and guidelines and, where these were found to be inadequate, through creative solutions devised by frontline nurses. Conclusions: We conclude that addressing the complex care needs of PwTD in disasters requires a strategy integrating structural preparedness, professional adaptability, and user participation. Nurses could play a key role in developing and implementing such strategies. This review provides a starting point to develop a more practice-oriented research agenda to achieve inclusive disaster risk management.

Objectives: With over 54,000 people affected, cystic fibrosis is one of the most common rare diseases in Europe. As life expectancy of this disease has steadily increased in recent years, the transition from pediatric to adult care has become a principal issue. This study aimed to identify facilitating and hindering factors in the transitional care of cystic fibrosis patients in order to derive indications for improving care. Methods: A qualitative systematized review was conducted in May 2024 with a systematic search carried out in MEDLINE, CINAHL and Livivo, including European studies from 2009 to 2024. The studies’ quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist for qualitative studies. Thematic analysis was applied for analyzing the data to identify categories. Results: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Their quality can be rated as medium to high. Parental support, commitment and social support were identified as beneficial factors. Preparation for the transition, appropriate communication and continuous follow-ups at the adult center also contributed to a continuous transition. However, the parents’ changing roles, fears and the usual treatment in pediatrics were obstacles. The adjustment to the adult center and structural problems presented further barriers to transition. Conclusions: Various factors were identified to influence the transition process in cystic fibrosis, with consistency across the studies. In practice, comprehensive care is required, focused on the patients’ needs, with more information provided and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders. Further research regarding the long-term effects of transition and the utilization of structured transition programs is needed.