Empowering people to protect community health from disaster impacts

DPET Study

Would you like to participate to the new international collaborative study?

“What is the perceived knowledge, skills, and preparation of nurses toward disaster preparedness post COVID – 19 in Australia and Japan?”

Dear Participants,

I am Alison Hutton, a researcher affiliated with Western Sydney University. Together with my co-researcher, Dr Mayumi Kako of Hiroshima University, we are conducting a survey on the theme of ‘How are nurses’ knowledge and skills regarding disaster preparedness in Australia and Japan perceived in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic?’ We kindly request the understanding and cooperation of all those involved in disaster nursing, and would like to provide the following information.

Introduction

Research on disaster preparedness has increased both domestically and internationally over the past 20 years. In particular, there has been a significant amount of research on hospital disaster preparedness, and the Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool (DPET) was developed by Goodman in 2009, followed by translations and surveys in various countries. Over the past 15 years, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced healthcare professionals and nurses to continue their practices under conditions that could be described as disaster-like for an extended period.

Research Objective

This study aims to evaluate the disaster preparedness of nursing professionals in Australia and Japan using the DPET survey tool. The DPET has been translated into multiple languages. By conducting this study, it will be possible to examine how the disaster preparedness of nursing professionals has changed over time, given the accumulation of data from multiple countries to date. We believe that conducting this study will lead to an understanding of the learning and continuing education needs related to disaster nursing, both domestically and internationally.

If you would like to participate in the survey, please click here⇓.

1. Survey Method

The survey will be conducted via questionnaire. It will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Participation in the survey is anonymous, and individuals will not be identified.

　Additionally, we plan to share the survey results with domestic and international institutions and research organisations related to disaster nursing through papers and conference presentations. 

2. Benefits, burdens, and funding sources of this study

Your participation is voluntary and by providing your valuable opinions, it will be possible to indicate the level of preparedness for disasters among nursing professionals involved in disaster nursing in both Australia and Japan.

Please note that you will be required to spend approximately 10 minutes to complete the questionnaire.

3. Whether personal names will be identified in this survey

This survey is anonymous. Therefore, your name will not be identifiable from the survey results. The information collected through the questionnaire will be stored in a locked locker at the Western Sydney University. Other research-related materials will be stored for either five years after the end of the research period or three years after publication, whichever is longer, and then shredded and discarded to prevent the leakage of personal information. Please note that the collected data may be used for secondary purposes, such as developing better curricula for disaster nursing education or proposing continuing education programmes.

4. Regarding the possibility of experiencing danger or discomfort as a result of participating in this survey

There is no possibility of experiencing danger or discomfort as a result of participating in this survey. If you have any concerns, please contact the principal investigator, Alison Hutto or Mayumi Kako.

5. Regarding consent to participate in the survey

Participation in the survey is voluntary. To participate in the online questionnaire, please respond via the link or QR code provided on the websit. After completing the questionnaire, please click ‘Submit’ to finalise your responses. Please note that once submitted, you cannot withdraw your participation.

Even if you do not consent to participate in the survey or withdraw your consent, you will not have any disadvantage as a result.

6. How to receive feedback on the survey

If you would like to view the results of the survey, we can send you a summary of the results. In that case, please contact the researcher.

　Additionally, if you wish to know more about the research plan or related materials, you may view the research plan and materials related to the research methods within the scope that does not interfere with the protection of personal information of research subjects or the originality of the research. Please make a request if you wish to do so.

7. Deadline

The deadline for the online survey is February 28, 2026.

Thank you for reading this notice regarding the research survey. We hope you will understand this survey and kindly participate and cooperate.

This research survey has been reviewed by the Western Sydney University Ethics Review Committee (Approval Number E2025-0089).