Rohani Cena-Navarro1,2, Rodel Jonathan Vitor1,3, Reynand Jay Canoy4,5, Angelo Dela Tonga1,2, Gianne Eduard Ulanday1, Mary Rose Claire Silva1, Raul V Destura1,2. 1. National Training Center for Biosafety and Biosecurity, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines-Manila, Manila, Philippines. 2. National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines-Manila, Manila, Philippines. 3. Laboratory of Veterinary Pathophysiology and Animal Health, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. 4. Institute of Human Genetics, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines-Manila, Manila, Philippines. 5. UMR 9018, CNRS, University of Paris-Sud. Universite Paris Saclay, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.
Abstract
Introduction: COVID-19 diagnosis was one of the most pressing needs during the early stages of the pandemic. Its entire procedure has inherent biosafety risks that if not properly managed and mitigated can be life threatening. Cognizant of this vital aspect, the Department of Health (DOH) imposed a biosafety training requirement to all laboratories and institutions before they could perform COVID-19 diagnostic testing. But with the mandatory lockdown, conventional face-to-face training could not be conducted. To address this need, the Biosafety Education and Awareness Training COVID-19 Online Program was offered by the National Training Center for Biosafety and Biosecurity of the University of the Philippines Manila. Methods and Materials: This online training program implemented a distance learning approach made available through the Canvas Learning Management System. It consisted of seven modules on biosafety that were sufficient enough to capacitate the participants with information for them to effectively implement a biorisk management system. The participants were evaluated based on quiz, examination, and case analysis. Certificates of completion were awarded to participants who passed all evaluation methods. Results: A total of 3371 trainees from various medical professions passed and obtained the certificate. This resulted in >100 DOH-accredited COVID-19 testing laboratories by the end of 2020. Discussion and Conclusion: The online availability of this program proved to be an effective innovative solution to a unique problem. Therefore, this training program demonstrated that biosafety training can be effectively conducted online and in a distance learning approach. Copyright 2022, ABSA International 2022.
Introduction: COVID-19 diagnosis was one of the most pressing needs during the early stages of the pandemic. Its entire procedure has inherent biosafety risks that if not properly managed and mitigated can be life threatening. Cognizant of this vital aspect, the Department of Health (DOH) imposed a biosafety training requirement to all laboratories and institutions before they could perform COVID-19 diagnostic testing. But with the mandatory lockdown, conventional face-to-face training could not be conducted. To address this need, the Biosafety Education and Awareness Training COVID-19 Online Program was offered by the National Training Center for Biosafety and Biosecurity of the University of the Philippines Manila. Methods and Materials: This online training program implemented a distance learning approach made available through the Canvas Learning Management System. It consisted of seven modules on biosafety that were sufficient enough to capacitate the participants with information for them to effectively implement a biorisk management system. The participants were evaluated based on quiz, examination, and case analysis. Certificates of completion were awarded to participants who passed all evaluation methods. Results: A total of 3371 trainees from various medical professions passed and obtained the certificate. This resulted in >100 DOH-accredited COVID-19 testing laboratories by the end of 2020. Discussion and Conclusion: The online availability of this program proved to be an effective innovative solution to a unique problem. Therefore, this training program demonstrated that biosafety training can be effectively conducted online and in a distance learning approach. Copyright 2022, ABSA International 2022.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID-19 remote training; biorisk; biosafety; biosecurity; capacity building
Authors: Ronnie E Baticulon; Jinno Jenkin Sy; Nicole Rose I Alberto; Maria Beatriz C Baron; Robert Earl C Mabulay; Lloyd Gabriel T Rizada; Christl Jan S Tiu; Charlie A Clarion; John Carlo B Reyes Journal: Med Sci Educ Date: 2021-02-24