title: The National Tuberculosis Surveillance System training program to ensure accuracy of tuberculosis data.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention implemented a national training program for health care workers and surveillance staff to ensure accuracy of data reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Tuberculosis Surveillance System and increase training capacity in tuberculosis surveillance.
  
  
  METHODS
  To address the changing epidemiology of tuberculosis and related reporting requirements, a working group of tuberculosis experts revised the Report of Verified Case of Tuberculosis (RVCT), the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System data collection form. The revision prompted a need for training in accurately completing the form. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention interdisciplinary training team collaborated with key partners in assessing health care worker training needs regarding the RVCT. The team conducted 5 field tests to ensure instructional effectiveness of the training materials. Participants worked through materials, shared experiences, asked questions, and stated concerns about the RVCT. On the basis of these inputs, the team developed an innovative and comprehensive training program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The training materials included instructions for completing each item on the RVCT form, case studies to enable participants to apply the instructions to real-life situations, and visual aids to enhance learning. In both quantitative and qualitative responses, participants indicated that the RVCT training course and self-study materials helped them gain the knowledge needed to accurately complete the RVCT. The team conducted 14 facilitator-led courses and trained 343 health care workers and surveillance staff; 82 of these were training-of-trainers participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Collaboration and innovation are essential in implementing an effective national surveillance-training program to ensure the accurate collection and reporting of tuberculosis surveillance data.
authors.affiliation: Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. EMagee@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Elvin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Magee
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tryon
authors.forename: Alstead
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Forbes
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Heath
authors.forename: Lilia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Manangan
mesh_terms: D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014481:United States