Enhancing Nurses’ Competencies and Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Effective Public Health Emergency Preparedness
Faisal Fahd Misfer Al-Qahtani 1*, Ahmad Ayad M Anazi 1, Turki Mohammed Al-Turaiki 1, Saleh Hulays Alharbi 1, Mohammed Menwer Alruwaili 1, Adil Mubarak Alotaibi 1, Mokhld Sanhat Alotaibi 1, Badr Talhab Ayed Al-Anzi 1
Journal of Primeasia 4(1) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/primeasia.4110079
Submitted: 13 November 2022 Revised: 06 January 2023 Published: 07 January 2023
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical role of nurses in public health emergencies, necessitating a reassessment of training and preparedness strategies. Competency-based training programs have primarily focused on technical knowledge, overlooking cultural and personal attributes that influence performance in crises. Enhancing collaborative efforts between nurses and pharmacists can further optimize responses to public health emergencies. Methods: A scoping review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of training programs aimed at developing nurses' competencies during infectious disease outbreaks. Assessment tools such as the Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool (DPET) and Emergency Preparedness Information Questionnaire (EPIQ) were analyzed across diverse geographic and cultural contexts, including their applicability in China, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and Indonesia. The implications of interdisciplinary collaboration between nurses and pharmacists were also examined, alongside constraints such as language bias and cultural perspectives in the reviewed studies. Results: The findings revealed that competency-based training programs often neglect cultural and personal attributes, which are essential for fostering initiative and adaptability among nurses. Tools like DPET and EPIQ demonstrated reliability and validity in assessing disaster preparedness across various nations. Enhanced collaboration between nurses and pharmacists was shown to improve medication management, patient safety, and therapeutic outcomes during crises. However, conceptual and language biases in the studies reviewed limit generalizability. Conclusion: To better equip nurses for future public health emergencies, training programs must integrate cultural and personal competencies alongside technical skills. Collaborative interdisciplinary initiatives, particularly between nurses and pharmacists, can enhance emergency responses and patient care. Addressing the identified constraints in research methodologies will contribute to more comprehensive preparedness strategies and strengthen global healthcare resilience.
Keywords: Nurse training, Public health emergencies, Competency assessment, Interdisciplinary collaboration, Emergency preparedness
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