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Hall EW, Sarwary S, Reynolds A, Przedworski J, Newby-Kew A, Camp K, Ku JH, Snowden JM. Development of a University-Government Partnership for Public Health Response and Workforce Development in the State of Oregon. J Community Health 2024; 49:779-784. [PMID: 38491319 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-024-01352-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated a public health workforce shortage and national strategies have called for the development of clear occupational pathways for students to enter the public health workforce and meaningful public health careers. In response to the immediate need for public health workers during the pandemic, several universities and academic hospitals rapidly mobilized students and employees and partnered with local or state health departments. However, many of those partnerships were based on short-term volunteer effort to support critical COVID-19 public health efforts. In this article, we document the development of Oregon's Public Health Practice Team, a student, staff, and faculty workforce developed at the Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University (OHSU-PSU) School of Public Health in close collaboration with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA). This project contributed significant effort to several phases of Oregon's statewide public health response to COVID-19, and over time developed into a lasting, multi-purpose, inter-agency collaborative public health practice program. Health equity has been centered at every stage of this work. We describe the phases of the partnership development, the current team structure and operations, and highlight key challenges and lessons learned. This provides a case-study of how an innovative and flexible university-government partnership can contribute to immediate pandemic response needs, and also support ongoing public health responses to emerging needs, while contributing to the development of a skilled and diverse public health workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric W Hall
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, 1810 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 510, Portland, OR, 97201, USA.
| | - Shabir Sarwary
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, 1810 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 510, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Amelia Reynolds
- Health Security, Preparedness and Response Program, Public Health Division, Oregon Health Authority, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Abigail Newby-Kew
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, 1810 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 510, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Karen Camp
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, 1810 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 510, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
| | - Jennifer H Ku
- Department of Research & Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, California, USA
| | - Jonathan M Snowden
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, 1810 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 510, Portland, OR, 97201, USA
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White AE, Garman KN, Hedberg C, Pennell-Huth P, Smith KE, Sillence E, Baseman J, Scallan Walter E. Improving Foodborne Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Detection and Response Using Peer Networks-The Integrated Food Safety Centers of Excellence. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE 2023; 29:287-296. [PMID: 36126200 PMCID: PMC10507714 DOI: 10.1097/phh.0000000000001607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Foodborne disease surveillance and outbreak investigations are foundational to the prevention and control of foodborne disease in the United States, where contaminated foods cause an estimated 48 million illnesses, 128 000 hospitalizations, and 3000 deaths each year. Surveillance activities and rapid detection and investigation of foodborne disease outbreaks require a trained and coordinated workforce across epidemiology, environmental health, and laboratory programs. PROGRAM Under the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was called on to establish Integrated Food Safety (IFS) Centers of Excellence (CoEs) at state health departments, which would collaborate with academic partners, to identify, implement, and evaluate model practices in foodborne disease surveillance and outbreak response and to serve as a resource for public health professionals. IMPLEMENTATION CDC designated 5 IFS CoEs in August 2012 in Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, Oregon, and Tennessee; a sixth IFS CoE in New York was added in August 2014. For the August 2019-July 2024 funding period, 5 IFS CoEs were designated in Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Tennessee, and Washington. Each IFS CoE is based at the state health department that partners with at least one academic institution. EVALUATION IFS CoEs have built capacity across public health agencies by increasing the number of workforce development opportunities (developing >70 trainings, tools, and resources), supporting outbreak response activities (responding to >50 requests for outbreak technical assistance annually), mentoring students, and responding to emerging issues, such as changing laboratory methods and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice E White
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado (Ms White and Dr Scallan Walter); Tennessee Department of Health, Nashville, Tennessee (Ms Garman); Division of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Dr Hedberg); New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York (Ms Pennell-Huth); Minnesota Department of Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Dr Smith); Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia (Ms Sillence); and Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, Washington (Dr Baseman)
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Silverstein SM, Jenkins W, Orlowski M, Paton S. Pandemic response across Ohio's public universities: Novel approaches, emergent challenges and future opportunities. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2022:1-10. [PMID: 36084278 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2121923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Objective: We describe and analyze case investigation and contact tracing (CICT) efforts across Ohio's public universities in response to COVID-19 to distill challenges and lessons learned and suggest future opportunities for universities to mobilize in the face of emergent public health crises. Participants: Faculty, staff, and graduate students from Ohio's fourteen public universities. Methods: In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from nine of the 14 universities; representatives from the remaining five universities completed a brief questionnaire. Interviews were transcribed in their entirety and thematically analyzed. Results: Emergent themes include the significance of local relationships for implementing locally tailored solutions; the presence of discrete challenges in doing CICT work with university and local communities, and the importance of university students in pandemic response. Conclusions: There are unique challenges associated with disease control across university populations and surrounding communities, but students from diverse academic background are a potential source of assistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney M Silverstein
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, USA
- Center for Interventions, Treatment, and Addictions Research, Dayton, Ohio, USA
| | - Whitney Jenkins
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, USA
| | - Marietta Orlowski
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, USA
| | - Sara Paton
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio, USA
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Ledesma D, Maroofi H, Sabin S, Dennehy TJ, Truong JM, Meyer LG, Salik M, Scott S, White JR, Collins J, Mrukowicz C, Charifson M, Shafer MS, Jehn M. Design and Implementation of a COVID-19 Case Investigation Program: An Academic-Public Health Partnership, Arizona, 2020. Public Health Rep 2022; 137:213-219. [PMID: 35060793 DOI: 10.1177/00333549211068495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
From May through July 2020, Arizona was a global hotspot for new COVID-19 cases. In response to the surge of cases, local public health departments looked for innovative ways to form external partnerships to address their staffing needs. In collaboration with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, the Arizona State University Student Outbreak Response Team (SORT) created and implemented a virtual call center to conduct public health case investigations for COVID-19. SORT officially launched a dedicated COVID-19 case investigation program after 3 weeks of program design and training. From June 29 through November 8, 2020, SORT recruited and trained 218 case investigators, completed 5000 case patient interviews, and closed 10 000 cases. Our team also developed process improvements to address disparities in case investigation timeliness. A strong infrastructure designed to accommodate remote case investigations, paired with a large workforce, enabled SORT to provide additional surge capacity for the county's high volume of cases. University-driven multidisciplinary case investigator teams working in partnership with state, tribal, and local public health staff members can be an effective tool for supporting a diverse and growing public health workforce. We discuss the essential design factors involved in building a university program to complement local COVID-19 response efforts, including workflows for case management, volunteer case investigator recruitment and training, secure technology platforms for conducting case investigations remotely, and robust data-tracking procedures for maintaining quality control and timely case reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Ledesma
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.,Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hanna Maroofi
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.,Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Susanna Sabin
- Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Timothy J Dennehy
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Jasmine M Truong
- Health and Clinical Partnerships, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Laura G Meyer
- School of Social Work, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - McMillan Salik
- School of Social Work, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Sarah Scott
- Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Jessica R White
- Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | | | | | - Mia Charifson
- Vilcek Institute of Biomedical Graduate Studies, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Megan Jehn
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
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Catalfamo CJ, Heslin KM, Shilen A, Khan SM, Hunsaker JR, Austhof E, Barraza L, Cordova-Marks FM, Farland LV, Garcia-Filion P, Hoskinson J, Jehn M, Kohler LN, Lutrick K, Harris RB, Chen Z, Klimentidis YC, Bell ML, Ernst KC, Jacobs ET, Pogreba-Brown K. Design of the Arizona CoVHORT: A Population-Based COVID-19 Cohort. Front Public Health 2021; 9:620060. [PMID: 33643990 PMCID: PMC7902773 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.620060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
This study is a prospective, population-based cohort of individuals with a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and those without past infection through multiple recruitment sources. The main study goal is to track health status over time, within the diverse populations of Arizona and to identify the long-term consequences of COVID-19 on health and well-being. A total of 2,881 study participants (16.2% with a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection) have been enrolled as of December 22, 2020, with a target enrollment of 10,000 participants and a planned follow-up of at least 2 years. This manuscript describes a scalable study design that utilizes a wide range of recruitment sources, leveraging electronic data collection to capture and link longitudinal participant data on the current and emerging issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The cohort is built within a collaborative infrastructure that includes new and established partnerships with multiple stakeholders, including the state's public universities, local health departments, tribes, and tribal organizations. Challenges remain for ensuring recruitment of diverse participants and participant retention, although the electronic data management system and timing of participant contact can help to mitigate these problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin J Catalfamo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Kelly M Heslin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Alexandra Shilen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Sana M Khan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Josh R Hunsaker
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Erika Austhof
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Leila Barraza
- Department of Community, Environment and Policy, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | | | - Leslie V Farland
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Pamela Garcia-Filion
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine-Phoenix, The University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Joshua Hoskinson
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Megan Jehn
- School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Lindsay N Kohler
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Karen Lutrick
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine-Tucson, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Robin B Harris
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Zhao Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Yann C Klimentidis
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Melanie L Bell
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Kacey C Ernst
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Elizabeth T Jacobs
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States.,University of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Kristen Pogreba-Brown
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
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Pogreba Brown K, Austhof E, Rosa Hernández AM, McFadden C, Boyd K, Sharma J, Battaglia S, Shilen A, Heslin KM. Training and Incorporating Students in SARS-CoV-2 Case Investigations and Contact Tracing. Public Health Rep 2020; 136:154-160. [PMID: 33301694 DOI: 10.1177/0033354920974664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In June 2020, Arizona had the fastest-growing number of cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide. As part of the growing public health response, the University of Arizona Student Aid for Field Epidemiology Response (SAFER) team was able to modify and increase case investigation efforts to assist local health departments. We outline the recommended logistical and management steps to include students in a public health response of this scope. METHODS From April 1 through September 1, 2020, the SAFER team identified key components of a successful student team response: volunteer training, management that allows more senior students to manage newer students, adoption of case-management software, and use of an online survey platform for students to conduct interviews consistently and allow for data quality control and management. RESULTS From April 1 through September 1, 2020, SAFER worked with 3 local health departments to complete 1910 COVID-19 case investigations through a virtual call center. A total of 233 volunteers and 46 hourly student workers and staff members were involved. As of September 2020, students were completing >150 interviews per week, including contact-tracing efforts. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Developing relationships between applied public health and academic programs can relieve the burden of low-risk, high-volume case investigations at local and state health departments. Furthermore, by establishing a virtual call center, health sciences faculty and students can volunteer remotely during a pandemic with no additional risk of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Pogreba Brown
- 572170 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Arizona, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Erika Austhof
- 572170 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Arizona, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Ayeisha M Rosa Hernández
- 572170 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Arizona, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Caitlyn McFadden
- 572170 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Arizona, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Kylie Boyd
- 572170 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Arizona, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Jayati Sharma
- 572170 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Arizona, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Sarah Battaglia
- 572170 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Arizona, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Alexandra Shilen
- 572170 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Arizona, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Kelly M Heslin
- 572170 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Arizona, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Simckes M, Melius B, Hawkins V, Lindquist S, Baseman J. An Academic-Practice Partnership at the University of Washington School of Public Health: The Student Epidemic Action Leaders (SEAL) Team. Public Health Rep 2018; 133:749-758. [PMID: 30300568 DOI: 10.1177/0033354918798805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2015, the University of Washington School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology established the Student Epidemic Action Leaders (SEAL) team to provide public health students with experience in field epidemiology in state and local public health communicable disease divisions. The University of Washington Department of Epidemiology developed the SEAL team in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Health to offer public health graduate students opportunities to contribute to the real-time needs of public health agencies during a communicable disease event and/or preparedness event. The SEAL team combines classroom and field-based training in public health practice and applied epidemiology. During the first 2 years of the SEAL team (2016-2018), 34 SEALs were placed at 4 agencies contributing more than 1300 hours of assistance on 24 public health projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maayan Simckes
- 1 Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Beth Melius
- 2 Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline, WA, USA
| | - Vivian Hawkins
- 1 Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA.,2 Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline, WA, USA
| | - Scott Lindquist
- 2 Office of Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Washington State Department of Health, Shoreline, WA, USA
| | - Janet Baseman
- 1 Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA, USA
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Barrett E, Carr D, Bell ML, Pogreba-Brown K. Post-infectious sequelae after Campylobacter enteric infection: a pilot study in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2018; 4:142. [PMID: 30151236 PMCID: PMC6103860 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-018-0335-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Campylobacter is a leading cause of gastroenteritis across the globe caused by the ingestion of contaminated food, water, or contact with animals carrying Campylobacter bacteria. The resulting disease, campylobacteriosis, is usually self-limiting, but cases may develop post-infectious sequelae (PIS) such as gastrointestinal disorders, neurological disorders, and joint disorders. The objective of this study was to estimate a crude incidence rate for PIS among Campylobacter cases in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA and to determine the feasibility of conducting a larger scale study to understand chronic outcomes from campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis. METHODS The pilot study spanned from August 1, 2016, to August 31, 2017. During this time, cases of campylobacteriosis were reported to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health and interviewed by public health students at the University of Arizona. Initial interviews were conducted using a routine enteric surveillance questionnaire, and eligible cases were recruited and consented into the pilot study. Follow-up with a questionnaire occurred 4 to 6 weeks from the date of each case's initial interview. Data analysis was conducted using STATA SE 14 and included chi-squared tests to determine differences in demographics, symptoms, and exposures between those enrolled in the study and those eligible but not enrolled during the study period and feasibility metrics for the study including enrollment rates, response rates, time to interview, and reasons for non-enrollment. Crude rates with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to estimate PIS. RESULTS Of the routine surveillance cases, 102 (36%) enrolled into the pilot study. Of enrolled participants, 68.6% completed the follow-up questionnaire. Most enrolled participants were non-Hispanic White, male, and aged 60 + years. Over half (52.8%, 95% CI 41.1%, 64.5%) of cases experienced PIS approximately 4 to 6 weeks after acute onset of campylobacteriosis. CONCLUSIONS Results from this pilot study indicate that a larger study is feasible. The larger study will identify the true incidence of PIS and improve the management of patient health among ethnically diverse populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Barrett
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, 1295 N Martin Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 USA
| | - Dametreea Carr
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, 1295 N Martin Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 USA
| | - Melanie L Bell
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, 1295 N Martin Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 USA
| | - Kristen Pogreba-Brown
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, 1295 N Martin Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719 USA
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Student outbreak response teams: lessons learned from a decade of collaboration. Public Health 2017; 149:60-64. [PMID: 28551472 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2017.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Student response teams within colleges of public health effectively address important concerns for two stakeholders. For universities, students learn the fundamentals of field epidemiology and provide popular training and networking opportunities. For health departments, students serve as surge capacity as trained workforce available during outbreak investigations and potentially for routine tasks. STUDY DESIGN This paper describes the interaction between a student response team and several health departments utilizing specific examples to demonstrate the various roles and activities students can fulfill. Lessons learned from both University team leaders and the various health departments are also included. METHODS The program evolved over time, beginning with a needs assessment of local health departments and a determination of student training needs, collection, and confidential transmission of data, and interviewing techniques. Over the last decade students have worked on outbreak investigations, case-control studies, program evaluations, and in-field responses. RESULTS Since 2005, over 200 public health graduate students have contributed more than 1800 h investigating 62 separate disease outbreaks in Arizona. In addition, over the past four years students also worked an additional 2500 h to assist county health departments in routine enteric investigations, specifically for Campylobacter and Salmonella. Best practices and lessons learned found that communication, preplanning and a willingness to collaborate increased the learning opportunities for students and ability for health departments to increase their capacity both during an emergency and for routine work. CONCLUSIONS Establishment of a student response team (1) trains students in field experiences; (2) creates trained surge capacity for health departments; (3) increases collaboration between schools of public health and state/local health departments; (4) establishes a way to share funding with a local health department; and (5) increases the number of students being placed in health departments for projects, internships, and jobs following graduation.
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McIntire RK, DiVito BM. An Experiential Service-Learning Project on Observed Smoking Behavior to Teach Practical Epidemiologic Skills to MPH Students, Philadelphia, 2015. Public Health Rep 2017; 132:392-396. [PMID: 28346856 DOI: 10.1177/0033354917698115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Russell K McIntire
- 1 Jefferson College of Population Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brittany M DiVito
- 1 Jefferson College of Population Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Use of an Online Survey During an Outbreak of Clostridium perfringens in a Retirement Community—Arizona, 2012. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE 2014; 20:205-9. [DOI: 10.1097/phh.0b013e31829a2cf5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Public Health in the Field and the Emergency Operations Center: Methods for Implementing Real-Time Onsite Syndromic Surveillance at Large Public Events. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2013; 7:467-74. [DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2013.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveTo develop an onsite syndromic surveillance system for the early detection of public health emergencies and outbreaks at large public events.MethodsAs the third largest public health jurisdiction in the United States, Maricopa County Department of Public Health has worked with academic and first-response partners to create an event-targeted syndromic surveillance (EVENTSS) system. This system complements long-standing traditional emergency department-based surveillance and provides public health agencies with rapid reporting of possible clusters of illness.ResultsAt 6 high profile events, 164 patient reports were collected. Gastrointestinal and neurological syndromes were most commonly reported, followed by multisyndromic reports. Neurological symptoms were significantly increased during hot weather events. The interview rate was 2 to 7 interviews per 50 000 people per hour, depending on the ambient temperature.DiscussionStudy data allowed an estimation of baseline values of illness occurring at large public events. As more data are collected, prediction models can be built to determine threshold levels for public health response.ConclusionsEVENTSS was conducted largely by volunteer public health graduate students, increasing the response capacity for the health department. Onsite epidemiology staff could make informed decisions and take actions quickly in the event of a public health emergency. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;0:1–8)
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Pogreba-Brown K, Ernst K, Harris R. Teaching epidemiology concepts experientially: a "real" foodborne outbreak in the classroom. Public Health Rep 2012; 127:549-55. [PMID: 22942476 DOI: 10.1177/003335491212700512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Pogreba-Brown
- Epidemiology Program at University of Arizona, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health in Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA.
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