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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Sue Ann Sarpy, PhD, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1430 Tulane Avenue, SL-29, New Orleans, LA 70112, 504-988-7150, ssarpy@tulane.edu, Jill Bradley, MS, PhD, Craig School of Business, California State University, Fresno, 5245 North Backer Avenue, Fresno, CA 93740, Michael S. Christian, MS, Eller College of Management, University of Arizona, 2007 Perceival Stern Hall, Tucson, AZ 85721-4172, Seth Kaplan, MS, PhD, Department of Psychology, George Mason University, 4400 University Dr., MSN-3F5, Fairfax, VA 22030, and Christopher Warren, MS, PhD, Psychology Department, California State University, Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840.

Purpose. In understanding the effects of workforce development initiatives on building emergency preparedness and response capacity of public health workers, it is important to consider organizational factors that can either positively or negatively influence the effects of training. The South Central Center for Public Health Preparedness (SCCPHP) develops and delivers competency-related training to aid public health practitioners and first responders in preparation and response to public health threats and emergencies, including terrorist attacks. The current study examined the system-wide, organizational components that may facilitate or impede the effectiveness of the SCCPHP training. Methods. Surveys were administered to state and local public health workers and emergency responders to identify organizational factors that either inhibit (i.e., barriers) or support (i.e., facilitators) the acquisition and transfer of the competency-related training. Participants provided examples of organizational factors and rated the frequency and impact of these factors on emergency preparedness and response behaviors. Results. Content analysis of the qualitative responses resulted in the identification of thirteen organizational factors (e.g., required service and assistance from others; time availability; budgetary support). Analysis of frequency and criticality ratings revealed which factors were most influential in facilitating or constraining emergency preparedness and response behaviors. Conclusion. This presentation will highlight the organizational facilitators and barriers influencing emergency preparedness and response behaviors, identified across various occupational groups at state and local levels. Implications of these results will be discussed with respect to the development, implementation, and evaluation of training programs designed to enhance capacity in emergency preparedness and response.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the importance of assessing organizational factors in a needs assessment for identifying training needs of public health workers in emergency preparedness and response.
• Discuss the results of an organizational analysis of training needs for public health workers at state and local levels.
• Describe the importance of organizational factors, barriers and facilitators, in developing, implementing, and evaluating public health workforce emergency preparedness and response training.

Keywords: Bioterrorism, Training

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No