Infection control practitioners' perceptions and educational needs regarding bioterrorism: results from a national needs assessment survey.
BACKGROUND
The perceived threat that biological weapons will be used in an act of terror against the United States has escalated sharply since the discovery of anthrax-tainted letters after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. These events underscore the critical nature of health care and public health preparedness and the need to augment infection control practitioner education and training.


METHODS
Between October 2000 and August 2001 a national needs assessment was conducted by use of a 35-question survey. The survey measured infection control practitioners' (ICPs') perception of the risk for bioterrorism in the United States and in their community, the proportion of ICPs with prior training in bioterrorism preparedness, and preferences for delivery media of future bioterrorism education.


RESULTS
The assessment of the perceived threat of bioterrorism in the United States during the next 5 years (P =.022) and in the ICPs' work community (P <.001) revealed significant regional differences. Only half (56%) of the respondents reported prior training in bioterrorism preparedness. Respondents reported that the 2 most common barriers to receiving training were lack of training opportunities (70.2%) or no dedicated work time for training (19.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate an urgent need for more resources and opportunities for clinical education in bioterrorism preparedness that will provide continuing education credit. Successful bioterrorism education will require a variety of instructional designs and media delivery methods to address ICPs' preferences and needs.
Center for the Study of Bioterrorism and Emerging Infections, School of Public Health, Saint Louis University, MO 63104, USA.
Brooke N
BN
Shadel
Terri
T
Rebmann
Bruce
B
Clements
John J
JJ
Chen
R Gregory
RG
Evans
D023482:Bioterrorism; D004189:Disaster Planning; D004522:Educational Status; D006292:Health Priorities; D006801:Humans; D016357:Infection Control Practitioners / Q000193:education; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011634:Public Health; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014481:United States