Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-vfjqv Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-27T01:38:30.328Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Integrating Simulation-Based Exercises into Public Health Emergency Management Curricula

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2019

Natasha Sanchez Cristal ,
Noel Metcalf ,
Debra Kreisberg  and
Charles M. Little
Natasha Sanchez Cristal
Affiliation:
Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO
Noel Metcalf
Affiliation:
Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO
Debra Kreisberg*
Affiliation:
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, COlorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO
Charles M. Little
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine; University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, CO
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Debra Kreisberg, 13001 E 17th Place, Mail Stop B119, Aurora, CO 80045, (e-mail: Debra.Kreisberg@UCDenver.Edu)
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The aim of this study is to enrich public health emergency management (PHEM) curricula and increase the workforce readiness of graduates through the implementation of an innovative curriculum structure centered around simulation and the creation of authentic learning experiences into a mastery-based Disaster Preparedness graduate certificate program launched in 2016 at the Colorado School of Public Health. Learners progress through a sequence of increasingly complex discussion and operations-based exercises designed to align with training methodologies used by future employers in the disaster response field, covering PHEM fundamentals and domestic and international disaster preparedness and response. Preliminary feedback is overwhelmingly positive, equating the experience to securing an internship. Embedding simulation-based exercises and authentic learning environments into graduate curricula exposes learners to diverse disaster scenarios, provides occasion for practicing critical thinking and dynamic problem solving, increases familiarity with anticipated emergency situations, and builds the confidence necessary for exercising judgment in a real-world situation. This novel curriculum should serve as a model for graduate programs wishing to enrich traditional training tactics using a typical school of public health support and alignment with community resources. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:777–781)

Keywords

disaster preparedness and responseemergency managementsimulation
Type
Concepts in Disaster Medicine
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 13 , Issue 4 , August 2019 , pp. 777 - 781
Copyright
Copyright © 2019 Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Marks, CA. Professional competencies for the Master’s level emergency manager. Federal Emergency Management Agency Higher Education Project; 2005.Google Scholar
Feldmann-Jensen, S, Jensen, S, Smith, SM. Next Generation Core Competencies for Emergency Management Professionals: Handbook of behavioral anchors and key actions for measurement. Federal Emergency Management Agency, ed. 2017. https://training.fema.gov/hiedu/docs/emcompetencies/final_%20ngcc_and_measures_aug2017.pdf. Accessed June 11, 2017.Google Scholar
Comfort, LK, Wukich, C. Developing decision-making skills for uncertain conditions: the challenge of educating effective emergency managers. J Public Affairs Educ. 2013;19(1):53-71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ambrose, SA. How Learning Works: Seven Research-Based Principles for Smart Teaching. 1st ed. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass; 2010.Google Scholar
Collins, ML, Peerbolte, SL. Public administration emergency management pedagogy: cultivating the habit of critical thinking. J Public Affairs Educ. 2012;18(2):315-326.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Silvia, C. The impact of simulations on higher-level learning. J Public Affairs Educ. 2012;18(2):397-422.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Herrington, J, Oliver, R. An instructional design framework for authentic learning environments. Educ Technol Res Dev. 2000;48(3):23-48.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brown, JS, Collins, A, Duguid, P. Situated cognition and the culture of learning. Educ Res. 1989;18(1):32-42.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Collins, A. Cognitive apprenticeship and instructional technology. Educational Values and Cognitive Instruction: Implications For Reform; 1991:121-138.Google Scholar
Lombardi, MM. Authentic learning for the 21st century: an overview. EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative. 2007;1(2007):1-12.Google Scholar
Department of Homeland Security. Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program. FEMA Preparedness Toolkit. ed2013:1.1-6.2. https://preptoolkit.fema.gov/documents/1269813/1269861/HSEEP_Revision_Apr13_Final.pdf/65bc7843-1d10-47b7-bc0d-45118a4d21da. Accessed March 4, 2018.Google Scholar
Pittman, E. Simulation-based training provides cost-effectiveness, flexibility. Emergency management. 2010. http://www.govtech.com/em/training/Simulation-Training-Cost-Effectiveness-Flexibility.html. Accessed March 4, 2018.Google Scholar
Lateef, F. Simulation-based learning: just like the real thing. J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2010;3(4):348-352.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Miller, JL, Rambeck, JH, Snyder, A. Improving emergency preparedness system readiness through simulation and interprofessional education. Public Health Reports. 2014;129(6 Suppl 4):129-135.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Morrison, AM, Catanzaro, AM. High‐fidelity simulation and emergency preparedness. Public Health Nurs. 2010;27(2):164-173.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cohen, D, Sevdalis, N, Taylor, D, et al. Emergency preparedness in the 21st century: training and preparation modules in virtual environments. Resuscitation. 2013;84(1):78-84.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McCabe, OL, Barnett, DJ, Taylor, HG, Links, JM. Ready, willing, and able: a framework for improving the public health emergency preparedness system. Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2010;4(2):161-168.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed