Epidemiol Health.  2017;39:e2017032. 10.4178/epih.e2017032.

The direction of restructuring of a Korea field epidemiology training program through questionnaire survey among communicable disease response staff in Korea

• Lee MS
• Lee K
• Park JH
• Hong JY
• Jang MY
• Jeon BH
• Cho SY
• Choi SJ
• Hong JI

• KMID: 2406636
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2017032

Abstract

We used a survey about the need for an educational training of infectious disease response staff in Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) and officer in metropolitan cities and provincial government to conduct field epidemiological investigation. The survey was conducted from January 25 to March 15, 2016. A total of 173 participants were selected from four different groups as follows: 27 clinical specialists, 22 Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officers, 82 KCDC staff, and 42 local health department officials. Results revealed that 83% of KCDC staff and 95% of local health department officials agreed on the need for educational training to strengthen capability of personnel to conduct epidemic research and investigation. The level of their need for training was relatively high, while self-confidence levels of individuals to conduct epidemic research and investigation was low. It was concluded that there was a need to develop training programs to enhance the ability of public health officials, EIS officers, KCDC staff, and local health department personnel to conduct epidemic research and investigation.

Keyword

Epidemiologists; Communicable diseases; Education; Surveys and questionnaires

MeSH Terms

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
Communicable Diseases*
Education*
Epidemiology*
Intelligence
Korea*
Public Health
Specialization
State Government
Surveys and Questionnaires