OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this pilot study was to measure the effectiveness of a 1-year comprehensive training program on the long-term cognitive competence in disaster preparedness among attending emergency physicians (EPs). DESIGN: Ten attending EPs participated in a year-long training program in disaster preparedness and management. A baseline pretraining test and self-evaluation questionnaire were administered to the participants. Post-training written test and self-evaluation questionnaire were repeated at 12 months after the completion of the program. SETTING: The study took place at an urban tertiary care medical center from July 2007 to June 2008. INTERVENTIONS: The training program was divided into three main categories: didactic core topics, formally recognized courses, and a practicum (drill). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pretraining and posttraining test scores in addition to pretraining and posttraining self-assessments were compared for disaster preparedness in various areas. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in the overall post-test versus pretest scores on the written examination for the entire group (44.4 vs. 29.8, p < 0.005). In addition, statistically significant increases in each area of disaster preparedness were noted for the self-assessments (2.7 +/- 0.82 vs. 3.9 +/- 0.56, p = 0.01), where 1 means not prepared at all and 5 means extremely well prepared. CONCLUSIONS: Disaster preparedness is an essential area of clinical competence for EPs. Participation in a yearlong pilot training program demonstrated a statistically significant increase in cognitive competence among a pilot sample of EPs. More research is needed to validate the content of the training program and its instruments of evaluation.
OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this pilot study was to measure the effectiveness of a 1-year comprehensive training program on the long-term cognitive competence in disaster preparedness among attending emergency physicians (EPs). DESIGN: Ten attending EPs participated in a year-long training program in disaster preparedness and management. A baseline pretraining test and self-evaluation questionnaire were administered to the participants. Post-training written test and self-evaluation questionnaire were repeated at 12 months after the completion of the program. SETTING: The study took place at an urban tertiary care medical center from July 2007 to June 2008. INTERVENTIONS: The training program was divided into three main categories: didactic core topics, formally recognized courses, and a practicum (drill). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pretraining and posttraining test scores in addition to pretraining and posttraining self-assessments were compared for disaster preparedness in various areas. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in the overall post-test versus pretest scores on the written examination for the entire group (44.4 vs. 29.8, p < 0.005). In addition, statistically significant increases in each area of disaster preparedness were noted for the self-assessments (2.7 +/- 0.82 vs. 3.9 +/- 0.56, p = 0.01), where 1 means not prepared at all and 5 means extremely well prepared. CONCLUSIONS: Disaster preparedness is an essential area of clinical competence for EPs. Participation in a yearlong pilot training program demonstrated a statistically significant increase in cognitive competence among a pilot sample of EPs. More research is needed to validate the content of the training program and its instruments of evaluation.
Authors: Elizabeth K Hewett; Joshua Nagler; Michael C Monuteaux; Michele Morin; Mary Devine; Michelle Carestia; Sarita Chung Journal: AEM Educ Train Date: 2017-12-26