2020 Volume 7 Issue 1 Pages 63-68
Aim: This article describes processes and lessons learned from volunteer activities following the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake by graduate nursing students from the Japanese Red Cross College of Nursing. The aim is to provide suggestions about support activities for nurses in future disasters.
Method: The students planned the activities using a management process.
Result: Activities were undertaken in a medical and welfare facility. Facility equipment was damaged as a result of the earthquake, which caused an increased workload for those already caring for patients. This resulted in little rest for healthcare workers, causing them fatigue and exhaustion. To assist in maintaining pre-disaster activities with as little disruption to the patients as possible, the students supported both patients and healthcare workers. The students spent the majority of their time on day shift, which provided them the opportunity to listen to the healthcare workers as they expressed their concerns and experience of having survived the earthquake. A follow-up evaluation was undertaken 2 years post-earthquake to seek feedback on the activities and results in published articles relating to the disaster.
Conclusion: Necessary lessons learned included using pre-disaster networks, identifying needs in the disaster areas through assessment, and ensuring safety preparation before the activities. At the time of activity, the attitude of respecting the healthcare workers led to the establishment of good relationships, and listening to the healthcare workers contributed to care of their mental health. In addition, it is necessary to build a system for all the affected medical and welfare facilities to receive impartial supports.
