Quantitative evaluation of "Can It Happen in Kansas: Response to Terrorism and Emerging Infections".
OBJECTIVE
This study describes the evaluation of a 2-year plan to train 10 percent of Kansas' multidisciplinary health professionals for response to terrorism and emerging infections. This project was part of a national effort covering 19 states funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration in 2003.


METHODS
The initial training occurred in six 2-day workshops. A terrorism preparedness questionnaire was developed to assess Health Resources and Services Administration terrorism response competencies/learning objectives. These were measured before, after, and 3 months after training in a hybrid cross-sectional and cohort follow-up design.


RESULTS
Health professionals' mean scores significantly improved on all four Health Resources and Services Administration terrorism self-reported competencies from pretest to posttest. Three months posttraining, health professionals' mean scores decreased slightly but remained significantly higher than their pretest scores.


CONCLUSIONS
This project prepared healthcare professionals to respond to the medical consequences of terrorism. The integration of core competencies into the evaluation plan allowed for trainees to evaluate their confidence and abilities. The evaluation plan and curriculum may serve as useful tools for preparation of healthcare workers nationwide, with the potential to rebuild the public health infrastructure to assume preparedness responsibilities.
Ablah
Elizabeth
E
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, 1010 N. Kansas, Wichita, KS 67214, USA. eablah@kumc.edu
Molgaard
Craig A
CA
Fredrickson
Doren D
DD
Wetta-Hall
Ruth
R
Cook
David J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D023482:Bioterrorism; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods*; D040381:Education, Public Health Professional / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004522:Educational Status; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007615:Kansas; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged