Assessing Trainee Needs for Developing Response Scenarios and Training Manuals for Unknown Infectious Diseases:...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Emergency Preparedness

Background:

• Emerging infectious diseases pose a significant threat to public health security.
• Effective response systems rely on robust interdepartmental collaboration and trained personnel.
• Previous assessments of South Korea's infectious disease response system highlighted training gaps.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the preparedness and training needs for South Korea's emerging infectious disease response system.
• To identify critical areas for improvement in interagency coordination and personnel development.
• To inform the creation of targeted training programs and standardized protocols.

Main Methods:

• Focus group interviews (FGIs) were conducted with key stakeholders involved in infectious disease response.
• Participants included representatives from public health centers, police, and fire services.
• Qualitative data from FGIs were analyzed to identify challenges and requirements.

Main Results:

• Interdepartmental cooperation is vital, involving public health, police, and fire services for scene control, decontamination, and transport.
• Significant challenges include frequent staff turnover and a lack of trained personnel at local government levels.
• There is a need for legal education on civil complaints and patient rights, alongside standardized patient management procedures.

Conclusions:

• Developing training materials for unskilled workers is essential to address personnel shortages.
• Comprehensive guidelines and cross-departmental training are necessary to enhance infectious disease response capabilities.
• Legal education and standardized protocols are critical for effective management during outbreaks.