title: Evaluation of field epidemiology specialist training program based on the satisfaction and the changes of educational needs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the learning achievement and satisfaction levels for the Field Epidemiology Specialist Training Program (FESTP), on infectious disease control between March 19 and October 31, 2002.
  
  
  METHODS
  The FESTP was designed as a set of 84 hours curricula including lectures, discussions, self-studies, and field practicals, and organized both centrally and locally by the Division of Communicable Disease Control of the National Institute of Health and 11 universities. Before and after the program, a questionnaire survey on the educational need (49 items) and satisfaction (15 items) was conducted on 484 trainees, who were responsible for communicable disease control and immunization at 242 regional health centers. The data were analyzed with paired t-tests for comparison of the educational needs between the pre and post scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average score for satisfaction was 3.06 out of 5.0; with relatively higher scores for sincerity (4.10) and professionalism (4.01) of the tutors, adequacy (3.54) and clearness (3.51) of the evaluation criteria, usefulness (3.54) and fitness (3.52) of the contents, but with relatively lower satisfaction for schedule (2.96) and self-studies (2.91). The average for requirement for education improved, as shown by the decrease from 2.72 to 2.22 (p< .0001) with the biggest decrease in the outbreak investigation from 2.60 to 2.08.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The FESTP was evaluated as being effective, the trainees showed moderate satisfaction and decrease educational needs. However, the actual schedules and self-studies should be rearranged to improve the satisfaction level.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Inje University, Korea.
authors.forename: No Rai
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Inje University, Korea.
authors.forename: Ihn Sook
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Inje University, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Gu
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Inje University, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Taek
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Inje University, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Inje University, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Soon
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Inje University, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Soo
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Inje University, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Myon
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Inje University, Korea.
authors.forename: Gyung Jae
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Inje University, Korea.
authors.forename: Hee Chul
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Ohrr
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Inje University, Korea.
authors.forename: Kun Sei
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Inje University, Korea.
authors.forename: Byung Kook
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Inje University, Korea.
authors.forename: Hun Jae
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Inje University, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Sul
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Inje University, Korea.
authors.forename: Young
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hwangbo
keywords: Education; Needs; Satisfaction