A Scoping Review of Nurses’ Knowledge and Preparedness in Disaster Management in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Nurses are the front-line responders to disasters. Providing them with sufficient knowledge, training, and preparedness is essential. Saudi Arabia, a country prone to numerous disasters, needs to enhance the training and preparedness of nurses and first responders to effectively respond to emergencies and minimize the impact on lives and the economy. The aim of this scoping review is to evaluate the preparedness of nurses and identify emerging trends in disaster nursing in Saudi Arabia. This review will serve as a foundation for future rigorous studies. A comprehensive search strategy was developed and implemented, sourcing studies from various online databases. Each study was evaluated for inclusion, followed by a critical appraisal. The key characteristics of the 13 included studies were charted, and the studies were then mapped onto the ICN framework. The key themes and patterns emerging from the appraisal were analyzed using the PAGER framework. In the discussion, the PAGER framework was expanded, incorporating insights from existing literature to identify gaps and develop avenues for future research. The implications of this research include recommendations to focus on experimental studies that investigate the most effective strategies for improving disaster preparedness among nurses.