Review of pesticide education materials for health care providers providing care to agricultural workers.
BACKGROUND
Pesticide exposure is an important environmental and occupational health risk for agricultural workers and their families, but health care providers receive little training in it.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the medical resources available to providers caring for patients, particularly farmworkers, exposed to pesticides and to recommend a selective bibliography for use in educating clinicians about pesticides and health care. These resources are divided into 3 domains: (1) the working knowledge, (2) the skill set, and (3) the references needed to care for these patients.


METHODS
We searched library databases dating back to 1995, as well as conference materials and Internet resources. Materials were included only if they were readily available through customary sources. Materials were randomly divided into 2 groups. Two authors wrote detailed reviews for each group. The remaining authors read each document and review, making changes that were agreed upon by the team. Review procedures were standardized to examine the contemporary relevance, quality, and overall strengths and weaknesses of the material relative to guidelines developed for each domain. These guidelines were developed from the authors' experience, national focus groups, and literature review.


RESULTS
While no 1 resource adequately addresses all needs, a number of resources were identified addressing the categories of working knowledge, skill set, and reference materials. Few of the reviewed materials address the cultural competence of providers treating farmworkers. Additional education resources are needed.
Hiott
Ann E
AE
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA. ahiott@wfubmc.edu
Quandt
Sara A
SA
Early
Julie
J
Jackson
David S
DS
Arcury
Thomas A
TA
D000383:Agriculture; D002983:Clinical Competence; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000592:standards*; D009657:North Carolina; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D013664:Teaching Materials
D010575:Pesticides