Train-the-trainer: Pilot trial for ebola virus disease simulation training

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Education
• Public Health Preparedness

Background:

• Highly infectious diseases necessitate rapid skill dissemination to healthcare workers (HCWs).
• Simulation-based education is effective but requires competent instructors.
• The study evaluated an internet-delivered train-the-trainer course for Ebola virus disease (EVD) patient care skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of an online train-the-trainer course for preparing HCWs to manage EVD patients.
• To compare the performance of trainees taught by novice versus experienced trainers.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-four individuals without prior EVD training were divided into two groups: one trained by experienced instructors and one by novice instructors who completed the train-the-trainer course.
• Performance was measured by task completion time, critical errors, and risky/positive actions.
• Trainee confidence was assessed via a post-training survey.

Main Results:

• Trainee confidence levels did not differ between groups.
• Participants trained by novice instructors were significantly faster in specific tasks like waste bagging, lab specimen bagging, spill clean-up, and body bagging.
• No significant differences were found in most task completion times or error rates, except for the 'Man Down in Gown' scenario.

Conclusions:

• The online train-the-trainer EVD course is an effective method for equipping novices to train HCWs in protective measures.
• This training approach can be implemented rapidly and efficiently.