Field Epidemiological Investigation Training Demand Survey for Central and Local Epidemiological Investigation and...

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency conducts simulation training to enhance the response capabilities of Epidemiological Investigation and Response Teams (ERTs). We analyzed training demands among Central and Local ERTs following nine scenario-based training sessions in 2025.

A survey was administered to 269 participants: 97 training debriefing attendees on-site (November 28, 2025) and 172 Central ERTs online (December 1-5, 2025) using a self-developed questionnaire that covered respondent characteristics, training topics, and methods. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and group differences via chi-square or Fisher's exact tests.

The preferred topics among the 133 respondents (response rate 49.4%; 95 Central, 38 Local ERTs; 74.4% female; median age 43.0; 5.0 years' experience) were respiratory (41.4%) diseases and water- and food-borne diseases (33.8%), and responses to mass gathering events (48.9%) and disaster events (46.6%). There was a significantly higher demand for diseases of unknown origin, non-communicable diseases, and mass gathering responses among Central ERTs. Conversely, Local ERTs prioritized training for water- and food-borne diseases and educational/healthcare facility outbreaks. Risk communication (46.6%) and risk assessment (45.9%) were equally prioritized by both groups, and problem-based learning (PBL, 57.1%) and field-linked practical training (51.9%) were the preferred methodologies.

Given the differing preferences reported, future training should be tailored to reflect each team's mission. Tailored scenarios should be developed that would enable Local ERTs to focus on community-level educational/healthcare facility outbreaks, while Central ERTs would concentrate on complex cases requiring coordination with the competent ministries or precise etiological investigations. Finally, it is necessary to maintain PBL methods and strengthen capabilities in areas like risk communication and assessment.