Funding period: June 1, 2009-May 31, 2010
Amount of funding: $12,522
Investigators: Susan Connor, MS, RN, Doctoral Student in Nursing (lead), Laura Duckett, PhD, MPH, RN, Carol O'Boyle, PhD, MPH, RN.
U-SEEE Focus Area Addressed: Research to assess the effectiveness of public health preparedness and response simulation games which are role-based and capability-linked to self-efficacy expectations, knowledge, skills, and/or response performance.

Project Abstract
The uncertain nature of public health events (PHE) presents unique challenges to health care professionals and the health care system. Health care professionals will be on the front line of any disaster. However, little is known about the effects of various educational modalities on their intention and ability to respond to a disaster. Researchers suggest health care professionals may refuse to work during a catastrophic event and some health care professionals, who have chosen to work during past PHEs, may manifest symptoms associated with trauma following their disaster work. The purpose of this pilot study is to examine the relationships among healthcare professionals' characteristics and preparedness education (including simulations and exercises) and their beliefs, attitudes, perceived behavioral control and intentions about responding to a PHE. A cross-sectional survey design with one wave of data collection will be used for this pilot study. A convenience sample of 400 health care professionals including nurses, physicians, dentists and pharmacists working in the Gulf Coast area of the United States in civilian, military and Veteran Administration hospitals will be invited to complete a web-based survey. Quantitative analyses will be accomplished using SPSS for Windows, and other software (e.g., R, SAS and/or Lisrel), if needed. Responses to the open-ended questions will be entered into the Atlas.ti© computer program for subsequent coding and thematic analysis.