An Evaluation of Points-of-Dispensing Training: A Mixed Methods Approach

Staffen, Lauren M (2013) An Evaluation of Points-of-Dispensing Training: A Mixed Methods Approach. Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.

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Abstract

In the event of a public health emergency, the Allegheny County Health Department may have to activate points-of-dispensing (POD) sites in order to distribute life-saving medical countermeasures, such as antibiotics or vaccine. In January 2013, ACHD began a series of mandatory trainings to orient employees to working in a POD. The training focused on an overview of POD operations, POD setup, and core staffing functions. At the conclusion of the program, participants completed a written survey examining prior POD experience or training, perceived ability to work in a POD, perceived understanding, and overall satisfaction in order to determine program effectiveness. After the training, 92.1% of employees reported that they are confident in their ability to work in a POD; of those employees, 49.5% had no prior formal training or experience working at a POD. Of those surveyed, 89.6% of participants reported feeling satisfied with the training program. Interactive and hands-on activities are well received as training methods. Health Department employees feel confident in their ability to set up a POD and perform key staffing duties. Evaluation indicated that the Head of Household screening form and corresponding prophylaxis algorithm is cumbersome to use and should be revised in order to increase efficiency in the screening process. More evidence of historical POD operations should be incorporated into future training modules to address participants’ concern about the dispensing capabilities of the POD model. In evaluation of future training, a comparison of pre- and post-training skill assessments will better measure training effectiveness and allow for a more in-depth analysis of understanding of training materials. The public health significance of this evaluation is that it will aid in improving current training methods and bettering public health preparedness capabilities for an array of different infectious disease emergencies for Allegheny County.

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Details

Item Type:	Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper (Master Essay)
Status:	Unpublished
Creators/Authors:	Creators Email Pitt Username ORCID Staffen, Lauren M
Contributors:	Contribution Contributors Name Email Pitt Username ORCID Committee Chair Martinson, Jeremy J jmartins@pitt.edu JMARTINS UNSPECIFIED Committee Member Keane, Christopher crkcity@pitt.edu CRKCITY UNSPECIFIED
Date:	11 December 2013
Date Type:	Publication
Access Restriction:	No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Publisher:	University of Pittsburgh
Institution:	University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs:	School of Public Health > Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
Degree:	MPH - Master of Public Health
Thesis Type:	Master Essay
Refereed:	No
Date Deposited:	14 Feb 2014 20:32
Last Modified:	30 Sep 2023 11:55
URI:	http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/20048

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