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Jennifer Horney, MPH, MA, North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #8165 - 400 Roberson, Chapel HIll, NC 27599, 919-843-5566, jen.horney@unc.edu and William A. Sollecito, DrPH, Public Health Leadership Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB 7400, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.
In an effort to respond to the unmet needs of public health professionals for training related to bioterrorism, emergency response, and disaster preparedness, the Public Health Leadership Program (PHLP) and the North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness (NCCPHP) developed a new course taught in spring 2004 at the University of North Carolina School of Public Health. “Introduction to Public Health Preparedness” is based on the Public Health Preparedness Core Capacities for Threats and Emergencies and the Core Emergency Preparedness Competencies for All Public Health Workers. The course responds to needs identified in assessments of state and local public health professionals in North Carolina, as well as to the recommendations of national groups such as the Institute of Medicine. To meet the needs of public health professionals as efficiently and effectively as possible, this course takes advantage of the existing resources of a leading academic center for public health and a Center for Public Health Preparedness practice center. Using distance-learning technology and case study-based discussion forums, this course provides accessible and relevant training through a partnership that fulfills both the School of Public Health and the Preparedness Center’s “responsibility to assure that appropriate, quality education and training are available to the current and future public health workforce” (IOM, 2003). This course strives to meet the training needs of the public health workforce as required to apply their current skills in the context of bioterrorism, disasters and emergencies and to develop the new skills in leadership, strategic planning, communication, and teamwork necessary to provide an effective response to emerging threats.
Learning Objectives: The learner should be able to
Keywords: Distance Learning, Workforce
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.