Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #100518

Shannon Houser, PhD, MPH, RHIA, Health Services Administration, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Webb 510, 1530 3rd Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35294-3361, Howard Houser, PhD, Health Services Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Webb 568, 1530 3rd Ave South, Birmingham, AL 35294-3361, and Janice Gilliland, PhD, Center for Advancement of Youth Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 912 18th Street South, Building 912, Birmingham, AL 35294-1200, 205-934-8785, mjgill@uab.edu.

Background: Bioterrorism/natural disaster events would add great specialized demand and disrupt normal operation of the health system for an indefinite period of time. Health administration leaders ought to be educationally prepared for and informed about these potential events.

Objective: To examine existence of coverage of bioterrorism in health administration curricula; to identify characteristics of bioterrorism coverage in current health administration programs; and to discuss the importance and necessity of having the coverage of bioterrorism in current health administration programs.

Method: A cross-sectional self-completed questionnaire was distributed to all of the AUPHA Masters and undergraduate members in the U.S. Coverage of bioterrorism in program curricula, reasons for not having coverage in current program, and time lines for starting bioterrorism course coverage were assessed.

Results: Out off 118 programs surveyed, of the 59 Health Administration programs responding, only 18 programs (31%) have current coverage of bioterrorism (4 undergraduate and 14 graduate programs). The main reasons for not having bioterrorism coverage currently were: not enough resources, not had enough time to develop course/materials, and do not think it is necessary to add these course/materials.

Conclusion: To better prepare and inform future health administrators regarding major disruptive circumstances, advocacy and documentation are important to develop and implement bioterrorism awareness. Possible minimum curricular requirements and contents should be developed in the near future. Health administration educators have an obligation to address the new reality and demonstrate that their graduates can function and lead in crises and situations disruptive to normal commerce.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to

• Learn about potential impact of bioterrorism events on normal healthcare operations.
• Review the existence of the coverage of bioterrorism in health administration program curricula in the U.S.
• Identify characteristics of bioterrorism coverage in current health administration programs.
• Be aware of the importance and necessity of having the coverage of bioterrorism in current health administration programs.

Keywords: Bioterrorism, Professional Training

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.