Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the preparedness, knowledge level, and psychosocial awareness of healthcare professionals working in intensive care units and operating rooms regarding disaster situations. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study included 288 healthcare professionals working in a tertiary care hospital. Data were collected using the “Improved Disaster Preparedness Questionnaire” and analyzed using Jamovi software. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were employed for data analysis. RESULTS: The majority of participants correctly defined “disaster” (93.4%) and reported that their hospital had a disaster plan (70.1%), yet only 14.6% stated that they “definitely knew” how to act during a disaster. Nurses/other healthcare professionals (HPs) reported higher role knowledge (50.2% vs. 31.4%, p = 0.003) and equipment adequacy (40.5% vs. 15.7%, p = 0.043) compared to physicians, and greater confidence in knowing how to act in a disaster (p < 0.001). While physicians more often cited “professional responsibility” as their primary motivation to volunteer (p = 0.002), nurses/other HPs more frequently emphasized “the desire to help people” (p = 0.032). Overall, 56.9% of participants expressed a need for psychological support after disasters. CONCLUSION: Nurses/other HPs showed higher levels of disaster preparedness and confidence compared with physicians. Nurse-led disaster drills, enhanced physician participation in hands-on training, clearer task distribution, and structured psychosocial support programs are recommended to strengthen hospital disaster preparedness. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12873-026-01478-y.