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Third Annual Report to the Secretary Department of Health and Human Services and to the Congress, Review and Recommendations > Interdisciplinary, Community-Based Linkages, Title VII, Part D Public Health Service Act
 
Executive Summary

I. Introduction
II. Grant Program Characteristics
III. Review of Past History
IV. Recommendations for Statutory Change
V. Recommendations on Outcomes and Performance Measures
VI. Future Activities
VII. Committee Members and Staff
Appendix
 

IV. Recommendations for Educational Incentives for Curriculum Development and Training Related to Bioterrorism

Given the role of health care professionals in bioterrorism, the Advisory Committee focused on educational incentives for curriculum development and training related to the Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, which authorizes curriculum development and continuing education in bioterrorism preparedness for health professions students and practitioners. The Advisory Committee focused on funding considerations regarding this educational initiative. These considerations included funding proposal factors and indicators of program success instrumental in providing Statewide continuing education in bioterrorism preparedness. Separate recommendations regarding these funding considerations were provided to the HRSA's Bureau of Health Professions, Division of State, Community, and Public Health.

Recommendation 1: Encourage the HRSA Administrator to convene national professional health associations across all health professions for the development of consensus regarding core competencies in the teaching of bioterrorism and emergency preparedness curricula.

Rationale

The Advisory Committee endorses the competency-based model for curriculum development in preparing the Nation's health care workforce in bioterrorism and emergency preparedness. This approach allows for national consensus on the performance standards for health professions students and practitioners. In order to achieve consensus for this recommendation in a timely manner, the Committee supports convening key constituent health professional groups.

Benefits

Competencies provide a framework for assessing practitioner performance in response to bioterrorism to their ability to recognize the indications of a terrorist event in their patients, treat patients in a safe and appropriate manner, provide a rapid and effective alert of the public health systems and other emergency responders, and prepare vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the community for acts of bioterrorism. Identification of core competencies for developing new curricula (where necessary) or adapting existing curricula for the continuing education of practicing professionals or training of health professions students is key to ensuring they readiness of the health care workforce to respond to bioterrorism and other threats.

Recommendation 2: The Advisory Committee recommends continued funding to provide quality continuing education in bioterrorism preparedness to a wide range of practicing health care professionals in every State.

Rationale

There is an existing infrastructure of health care practitioners in every State who, if appropriately trained, will provide quick recognition and response in the event of a bioterrorist event. Coordination of training within each State should be strongly encouraged.

Benefits

Funding for practitioner continuing education programs would build capacity for our Nation's emergency preparedness and the inclusion of continuing education providers as primary bioterrorism trainers would assure practitioner participation in training programs. Effective State and local response throughout the Nation will secure an effective national response overall.

Recommendation 3: The Advisory Committee recommends continued funding to develop new curricula (where necessary) or adapt existing curricula in bioterrorism preparedness to train students in the health care pipeline at health professions schools, in partnership with Academic Health Centers and/or consortia of accredited health professions schools or programs.

Rationale

Preparing the total health care workforce for rapid and efficient response to a bioterrorist attack requires focusing on health professions students in the health care pipeline, as well as practicing health professionals.

Benefits

Curricula focusing on bioterrorism preparedness that targets health professions students in the health care pipeline will result in students being better prepared to assist in response to a bioterrorism attack, thus increasing the number of competent responders within the health care workforce in the Nation. Upon completion of educational programs in health professions schools, these new practitioners will be competent in bioterrorism preparedness.

Recommendation 4: Other DHHS and HRSA funding initiatives or other Federal agencies that have funding initiatives dedicated for bioterrorism preparedness education should encourage linkages with the BHPr Division programs and the State plans.

Rationale

To adequately and accurately address and prepare for potential threats of bioterrorism, and to build the Nation's capacity for competent, rapid, responsiveness of the health care workforce, linkages and coordination of funding initiative toward this goal should be encouraged.

Benefits

Increased coordination and linkages among Federal funding initiatives for bioterrorism preparedness education of the Nation's health care workforce would enhance the country's readiness and provide a stronger coalition against bioterrorism.