Session
Reducing Barriers to Preventing the Spread
APHA 2022 Annual Meeting and Expo
Abstract
Infection Prevention and Control Workforce Training and Development Model, Tools, and Resources Developed by CDC’s Project Firstline Training Program
APHA 2022 Annual Meeting and Expo
Background: The decades-long shortage of a skilled public health workforce was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Increasing the use of trained infection prevention and control specialists in both clinical and public health positions meets a growing need for community health education focused on reducing infectious diseases. IPC positions at hospitals, health departments, congregate facilities, and workplaces have diverse experience and skill requirements reflecting a still evolving workforce and academic IPC competency standardization process.
Methods: NNPHI sponsored a deeper dive into assessing the needs and resources available to IPCs working in the field, with a focus on CDC Project Firstline Training resources as well as the larger body of online IPC training and educational content.
Results: In partnership with NNPHI, Maximus Public Health reviewed and assess publicly available IPC training material using NNPHI developed Quality Standards to understand the landscape of material and digital tools available to the IPC community. Using a Design Thinking Framework, we developed archetypes reflecting the highest priority needs and experiences of the existing IPC workforce as well as the next decade of workforce and technological growth.
We used key IPC archetypes to identify a prioritized roadmap of digital tools, resources, and solutions recommended for the IPC workforce. Using community health work as a model, we developed an IPC career path and career journey resources that can be used to help socialize and promote competency-based IPC job descriptions and training resources.
Conclusion: The tools and resources developed in collaboration with NNPHI, CDC, and Tulane University, contribute to the development and further refinement of infection prevention and control activities and competencies across the clinical and public health workforce. Additional tools are needed to further increase the ability of the IPC workforce to access, complete, and track both remote and on-the-job training material using the best resources across multiple platforms
Abstract
Leveraging ECHO to Deliver Infection Prevention and Control Training to Pediatric Primary Care Clinicians
APHA 2022 Annual Meeting and Expo
COVID-19 amplified the need to deliver effective just in time infection prevention and control (IPC) education, training and support for pediatric frontline workers to implement infection prevention and control practices. As the National Pediatric COVID-19 Training Center, part of Project Firstline, a CDC national health care workforce IPC training collaborative, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) led two cohorts of pediatric providers through an 8 session telementoring program using the Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) model, a widely implemented evidence-based virtual education model that aims to enhance the capacity of healthcare workers to better manage a range of health concerns.
From December 2020-July 2021, the AAP IPC ECHO engaged 140 participants across 30 states in two cohorts. with the aim to increase knowledge, skills and self- efficacy of pediatric clinicians around IPC practices through the lens of COVID-19. Post-program survey results (n=34) observed statistically significant improvement in cumulative post-ECHO scores for both knowledge and confidence compared to pre-ECHO (knowledge: z=5.099; p-value< 0.001) (confidence: z=5.096; p-value< 0.001). Participants reported deeper understanding of IPC’s role during the pandemic after participation than before, and they identified intentions for self-improvement and policy change to implement best practices to prevent transmission of COVID-19. Evaluation findings suggest that the AAP IPC ECHO positively affected confidence, knowledge, and clinical approach in a pandemic; and that project ECHO is an effective model to deliver infection control practice education, training and support.
A third cohort integrating IPC quality metrics runs September 2021 – May 2022 with data forthcoming.
Abstract
Information Sources: How COVID-19 Beliefs and Vaccination Status among US Adults are impacted by the Number and Types of Sources Used for COVID-19 Information
APHA 2022 Annual Meeting and Expo
During an infectious outbreak, access to reliable sources of information is critical. This study examines the relationships between demographics (e.g., age, ethnicity/race, education, political affiliation), the number and types of sources for COVID-19 information (e.g., TV, friends, social media, health care provider, government), health beliefs, and vaccination status. An online survey with US adults (n=512) was conducted in Spring 2021. Participants rated their agreement of low severity (e.g., COVID-19 is not a real disease) and high severity belief items (e.g., COVID-19 is highly infectious). Being non-Hispanic/Latinx (OR=.457, p=.003), higher education (OR=1.611, p=.039), older age (OR=.050, p=.004) and using a higher number of sources (OR=1.321, p=<.001) were associated with being vaccinated. Identifying as republican (b=.287 ,p= <.001) and a lower number of sources (b=-.249, p=<.001) were associated with low severity beliefs (F(8,502) = 14.181, p<.001, R2= .184). Identifying as a democrat or independent (b=.203, p<.001) and utilizing a higher number of sources (b=.267, p<.001) were related to higher severity beliefs (F(8,502) = 10.657, p<.001, R2= .145). Participants who received COVID-19 information from national government sources had higher severity beliefs (M=4.71, SD=.49), compared to those who did not (M=4.26, SD=.80); t(510)=-7.611, p<.001. Participants who used state government sources were more likely to be vaccinated, X2 (1, n = 511)= 17.174, p<.001). Given these results, public health professionals should consider the sources that different populations may use during a pandemic and create targeted campaigns to address misleading information. Additionally, there is a need to promote increasing the number of sources for specific communities.
Abstract
Disaster Management ECHOs during COVID-19
APHA 2022 Annual Meeting and Expo
The COVID-19 pandemic highlights that pediatricians and health care providers, public health, communities, and states need to improve preparedness planning to effectively address the needs of infants, children, and adolescents during and after disasters.
The AAP Disaster Extension for Community Health Care Outcomes (ECHO) were launched as forums to increase participant knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy around pediatric disaster management, recovery, and response strategies and to provide peer support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Three 8-session ECHO cohorts ran from February 2021 – January 2022 with 176 participants from 40 states. Curriculum topics included pediatric disaster planning and management, natural disasters, emerging infections and outbreaks, COVID-19 vaccine rollout strategies, behavioral health support, ethical considerations, and recovery from the economic impact on pediatric practices. Program evaluation included post-session surveys, a post-program survey, and focus groups.
All post-program survey respondents identified that participation in the ECHOs contributed to their professional network, increased their interest in the subject matter, and improved their understanding of disaster management and recovery and response. Learners reported improvements in understanding best practices for incorporating children and families in disaster management planning, the current landscape of COVID-19 vaccine distribution/administration, and ethical considerations in disaster plan development. Learners reported improvements in confidence to apply strategies for addressing unique experiences and needs of the BIPOC community. Results suggest that the ECHO model is an effective strategy for conveying information, providing peer support, and improving skills related to pediatric disaster management and recovery.