The Role and Mandate of Nurses in Disasters: A Delphi Study in German-Speaking Countries

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.