The National Tuberculosis Surveillance System Training Program to Ensure Accuracy of Tuberculosis Data

Objectives: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention implemented a national training program for health care workers and surveillance staff to ensure accuracy of data reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Tuberculosis Surveillance System and increase traini...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of public health management and practice 2011-09, Vol.17 (5), p.427-430
Main Authors: Magee, Elvin, Tryon, Cheryl, Forbes, Alstead, Heath, Bruce, Manangan, Lilia
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) - organization & administration
Cooperative Behavior
Health Personnel - education
Health technology assessment
Inservice Training - organization & administration
Sentinel Surveillance
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary - epidemiology
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary - prevention & control
United States
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Objectives: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention implemented a national training program for health care workers and surveillance staff to ensure accuracy of data reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Tuberculosis Surveillance System and increase training capacity in tuberculosis surveillance. Methods: To address the changing epidemiology of tuberculosis and related reporting requirements, a working group of tuberculosis experts revised the Report of Verified Case of Tuberculosis (RVCT), the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System data collection form. The revision prompted a need for training in accurately completing the form. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention interdisciplinary training team collaborated with key partners in assessing health care worker training needs regarding the RVCT. The team conducted 5 field tests to ensure instructional effectiveness of the training materials. Participants worked through materials, shared experiences, asked questions, and stated concerns about the RVCT. On the basis of these inputs, the team developed an innovative and comprehensive training program. Results: The training materials included instructions for completing each item on the RVCT form, case studies to enable participants to apply the instructions to real-life situations, and visual aids to enhance learning. In both quantitative and qualitative responses, participants indicated that the RVCT training course and self-study materials helped them gain the knowledge needed to accurately complete the RVCT. The team conducted 14 facilitator-led courses and trained 343 health care workers and surveillance staff; 82 of these were training-of-trainers participants. Conclusions: Collaboration and innovation are essential in implementing an effective national surveillance-training program to ensure the accurate collection and reporting of tuberculosis surveillance data.
ISSN:1078-4659
1550-5022
DOI:10.1097/PHH.0b013e31820f8e43