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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Ayxa Calero-Breckheimer, PhD1, Jacqueline Merrill, MPH, RN, C2, Marita K. Murrman, EdD3, Kristine Gebbie, DrPH, RN2, and Marissa Barrera4. (1) Office of Scholarly Resources, Columbia University, 701 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, 212 305-3777, ac560@columbia.edu, (2) School of Nursing, Columbia University, Center for Health Policy, 630 West 168 Street, GB 244, New York City, NY 10032, (3) Division of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 600 West 168th St., 4th fl, New York, NY 10032, (4) Columbia University, Division of Sociomedical Sciences, 600 West 168 street, New York, NY 10032
The project developed, implemented and evaluated the effectiveness of a competency-based emergency preparedness program for public health nurses employed by the New York City Department of Health (NYC DOH) School Health Program (SHP). Curriculum was based on Core Public Health Worker Competencies for Emergency Preparedness and Response developed at the Center for Health Policy, Columbia University School of Nursing. Learning objectives focused on roles and responsibilities of these nurses in emergencies.
During August 2001 three sessions for public health nurses (N=762) were conducted and evaluated. Pre/post intervention data were collected using a 24-item test that measured changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral intentions regarding emergency response. Questionnaires were completed immediately before and after the training. Analyses were conducted only on completed pairs of scores. Repeated measures pre/post t-test analyses were conducted on the knowledge related items. For items related to attitudes and behavioral intention a chi-square test was conducted. Significant improvements were noted for participant’s understanding of the overall PHN role during an emergency including communication, accessing emergency resources, and elements of a personal emergency plan. Personal and subjective norm attitudes toward emergency response showed some improvement from already high baseline scores, but not at the level of statistical significance.
As the largest professional group in public health, nurses play a key role in public health emergency response, yet most have received little specific training. Preparedness programs for PHN’s are a valuable step towards improving public health readiness.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Competency, School Health
Related Web page: cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/nursing/institute-centers/chphsr/index.html
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.