title: Assessing the readiness and training needs of non-urban physicians in public health emergency and response.
abstract: Emergency readiness has become a public health priority for United States communities after the 9/11 attacks. Communities that have a less developed public health infrastructure are challenged to organize preparedness and response efforts and to ensure that health care providers are capable of caring for victims of terrorist acts. A survey was used to assess non-urban physicians' prior experience with and self-confidence in treating, and preferred training needs for responding to chemical, biologic, radiologic, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) cases. Data were collected through a mailed and Web-based survey. Although the response rate was calculated at 30%, approximately one third of the surveys were not able to be delivered. Most respondents reported never having seen or treated CBRNE-inflicted cases and were not confident in their ability to diagnose or treat CBRNE cases, but many were willing to participate in a state-led response plan. Almost half of the individuals had not participated in any related training but expressed interest in receiving training in small group workshops or through CD-ROM. These results provide potential direction for strategic preparedness planning for non-urban health care providers.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA. edhsu@umd.edu
authors.forename: Chiehwen Ed
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Francisco Soto
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Mas
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Papenfuss
authors.forename: Ella T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Nkhoma
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zoretic
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods*; D004522:Educational Status; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011634:Public Health / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013781:Texas