title: Treatment of chemical warfare agent casualties: retention of knowledge and self-perceived competency among military physicians and paramedics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Specialized training of medical teams for chemical warfare agent (CWA) events is important to save lives. We aimed to evaluate the retention of knowledge (ROK) and self-perceived competency (SPC) of military medical personnel in delivering treatment during CWA events.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire and a multiple-choice examination were sent to military physicians and paramedics, evaluating their CWA, ROK, and SPC (study group [SG]). Their assessment was compared to medical personnel immediately post training (reference group [RG]). SG was subdivided into two groups: G1 ≤ 1 year and G2 > 1 year, past training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 135 participants responded (35-RG, 65% physicians). Self-reported ROK and SPC were significantly higher in RG compared to SG and in G1 compared to G2. Test scores were higher in RG compared to SG, but similar in G1 and G2 groups. SPC was lower compared to ROK in the entire cohort and subgroups. A moderate correlation was found between the self-and test-assessed scores (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.45, p < 0.001). Physicians received significantly (p = 0.01) higher test scores in RG compared with paramedics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ROK and SPC among military medical personnel for treatment of CWA casualties deteriorate significantly as early as 1 year post training, SPC > ROK. Thus, we recommend CWA refresher training at least every year.
authors.affiliation: CBRN Medicine Branch, Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shiyovich
authors.affiliation: CBRN Medicine Branch, Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: Liran
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Statlender
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Clinical Research Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abu-Tailakh
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Clinical Research Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Ygal
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Plakht
authors.affiliation: CBRN Medicine Branch, Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: Shai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shrot
authors.affiliation: CBRN Medicine Branch, Medical Corps, Israel Defense Forces, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kassirer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D002618:Chemical Warfare; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000193:education; D008889:Military Personnel; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000628:therapy; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents