E is for Epidemiology, P is for Practice, I is for Investigation: An Applied Epidemiology Training Series for Non-Epidemiologists

Basic epidemiology training for non-epidemiologists is a cornerstone for building capacity in the public health workforce to respond to terrorism and other emerging health threats. The NC Center for Public Health Preparedness (NCCPHP) at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill developed a three-part basic epidemiology training for non-epidemiologists.

The trainings had two principle goals: familiarizing non-epidemiologists with basic terminology and concepts of epidemiology to facilitate a collaborative work environment, and giving non-epidemiologist public health staff basic descriptive and analytic tools to participate in outbreak investigations and other public health emergencies.

Three printed workbooks appropriate for either individual self-study or facilitated in-service training, along with a CD-Rom including PowerPoint slides, scripts, activities, and discussion questions were developed. In addition, slides, scripts, and recorded streaming audio presentations were available on the NCCPHP Training Web Site.

The online training modules were completed by 5,606 registered users for free Continuing Education Units. Ninety-five percent (n=3703) of those who completed an evaluation indicated the training made them feel better equipped to perform their job, while 92.4% indicated the training addressed their professional roles and responsibilities. Ninety-eight percent indicated the training provided them with the information they needed, while 99.5% indicated that the training addressed the identified competencies for applied epidemiology.

Demand for and evaluation of this series have shown that it meets the target audiences' need for training in epidemiology to successfully perform job responsibilities and work as part of a team conducting an outbreak investigation.