Radiological population monitoring: Views of public health professionals

Following a radiation disaster, it is essential to rapidly screen the population to identify people who are contaminated, require medical attention, or require long-term follow-up. This process, known as “population monitoring,” is vital to reducing morbidity and mortality. Primary responsibility for population monitoring resides with state and local health departments. However, at this time, little is known about how public health professionals view this new role. Purpose. To identify the views of public health professionals regarding their new role in radiological population monitoring. Hypotheses. Due to the newness of population monitoring, public health professionals will have a range of as yet unidentified concerns and uncertainties. These concerns may vary depending on such factors as whether the state has nuclear facilities within its borders, and whether the agencies that deal with radiation issues are located inside or outside the health department. Study Aims. 1) Identify the views, concerns and uncertainties of public health professionals regarding population monitoring; 2) Obtain feedback on new population monitoring guidance and materials. Methods. This qualitative study will utilize 8 focus groups with state and local public health professionals in four states. In addition, 8 interviews with high-level administrators/managers in those states will be conducted. Data Analysis. Data will be analyzed using thematic analysis with the support of computer-based text analysis software. This pilot project is expected to contribute to the disaster literature and the practice of emergency management by yielding an improved understanding of the perceptions, concerns, and uncertainties of public health professionals regarding population monitoring.