Assessing Disaster Preparedness, Knowledge among Physiotherapists and Nurses in India: A Systematic Review

Objective: The concept of preparedness, defined as a pre-planned system involving organized healthcare professionals, is crucial for effectively responding to disasters. Disasters result in substantial losses across all sectors, and those affected can benefit significantly from coordinated healthcare efforts. According to the findings of the current review, the expertise and roles of nurses and physiotherapists are often undervalued, and there is a notable lack of knowledge about disaster preparedness among these professionals. This systematic review aims to assess the level of disaster preparedness knowledge among nurses and physiotherapists in India, with the goal of identifying existing gaps and weaknesses in their readiness for disaster response. Methods The review methodology followed a systematic screening and selection process, as illustrated in the PRISMA flow diagram. Initially, 104 records were identified through database searches. After removing five duplicate entries, 99 records remained for screening based on their titles and abstracts. Of these, 75 studies were excluded for being irrelevant or not meeting the inclusion criteria. The remaining 24 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Following a critical evaluation, nine articles were excluded, and 15 studies that met all the predefined criteria were included in the final review. Results: According to the current review, nurses and physiotherapists in India demonstrate a significant lack of awareness regarding their roles beyond treating injuries and providing first aid. Their involvement in disaster preparedness and response remains limited, particularly when compared to global standards. Although the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of these professionals in emergency planning and response, their engagement in pre-planned disaster management strategies in India continues to be insufficient. This reflects a broader issue of limited role clarity and professional development among nurses and physiotherapists in the country. Conclusion: The insights gathered from this review can contribute to assessing the current levels of disaster preparedness knowledge among physiotherapists and nurses.