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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Gillian S. Gibbs, MPH, Center of Excellence for Bioterrorism Preparedness, Rush University Medical Center, 1653 W. Congress Pkwy, Suite 177 Murdock, Chicago, IL 60612, 312 563 3820, Gillian_Gibbs@rush.edu, Linnea Hauge, PhD, Department of Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, 1653 W. Congress Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60612, Stephanie R. Black, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Rush University Medical Center, 600 S. Paulina, Ste 143, Chicago, IL 60612, and Daniel Levin, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Rush University Medical Center, 1653 W. Congress Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60612.

Purpose: Terrorist attacks of the last decade have prompted an increased need for healthcare providers to prepare for disaster. There are many educational opportunities in disaster preparedness available. However, little is known about how continuing education (CE) affects providers' plans and actions to prepare for disaster. The purpose of this study is to examine healthcare providers' specific plans for disaster preparedness after completing a CE activity on chemical terrorism.

Methods: A case study was developed about a sarin attack and was made available on a widely used CE portal. The sarin case included a knowledge test and a case evaluation that were completed by 1100 healthcare providers. Twenty-nine percent of participants completed an evaluation question about specific actions they could take to enhance disaster preparedness in their workplace. A content analysis of participant responses was conducted, and data was coded into 20 categories.

Results: Almost half of the respondents plan education for staff or colleagues. Half plan to strengthen disaster plans, and stock necessary supplies and equipment. Approximately one-third of respondents reported a 100% likelihood of acting on their proposed activity, and another third reported a greater than 50% likelihood. Seventy-four percent reported that completing the sarin case would impact their practice, and 98% agreed that the CE activity improved their ability to care for chemical attack victims.

Conclusions: Disaster preparedness begins at the provider level. Healthcare workers who have completed a CE activity on disaster preparedness recognize the need to train staff, stock supplies and strengthen disaster plans.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Summarize action steps that healthcare providers plan to take to enhance disaster preparedness in the workplace.
• Describe health care providers’ probabilities of taking proposed actions.
• List opportunities for continuing education in chemical terrorism preparedness.

Keywords: Bioterrorism, Education

Related Web page: www.medscape.com/viewprogram/4362

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Handout (.pdf format, 206.9 kb)