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Emergency preparedness training for public health nurses: a pilot study
Kristine A Qureshi1, Jacqueline A Merrill, Robyn R M Gershon
1Columbia University Center for Public Health Preparedness at the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA.
Summary
Most public health workers face barriers to emergency duty, including childcare and transportation issues. Addressing these challenges is crucial for ensuring workforce availability during public health emergencies.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Emergency Preparedness
- Workforce Management
Background:
- Public health preparedness is vital for community safety.
- A training program was developed to enhance workforce readiness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a pilot emergency preparedness training program for public health workers.
- To identify barriers affecting public health worker deployment during emergencies.
Main Methods:
- A pilot training program was delivered to school health nurses.
- A pre/posttest design was used for evaluation.
Main Results:
- 90% of nurses reported barriers to emergency duty.
- Key barriers included childcare, transportation, and personal health.
Conclusions:
- Significant barriers hinder public health workforce responsiveness.
- Proactive identification and mitigation of barriers are necessary for emergency readiness.