TB Notes Newsletter
No. 1, 2012
COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION, AND BEHAVIORAL STUDIES BRANCH UPDATES
Communicating the New 12-Dose Latent TB Infection Treatment Regimen
DTBE’s Communications, Education, and Behavioral Studies Branch (CEBSB) developed and updated a variety of communication and education materials in preparation for the release of the 12-dose treatment regimen guidelines for latent TB infection in the Dec. 9, 2011, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).1
CEBSB provided TB controllers and other partners with key messages to assist them in communicating the new guidelines and developing their own talking points. Additionally, CEBSB developed several communication products and updated Web pages to provide health care professionals and the general public with information about the new regimen. These materials are available on the DTBE web site.
Specific highlights included two matte articles targeting the general public and health care professionals. Matte articles are ready-to-print articles that can be used in any publication or customized with additional information for publication.
CDC Issues Shorter Treatment Regimen for Latent TB Infection-Matte Article
New Regimen Makes Treating TB Infection Easier-Matte Article
DTBE’s Director, Dr. Kenneth Castro, also recorded a video podcast for health care professionals related to the guidelines. This video is available in English and Spanish.
New Treatment Regimen for Latent Tuberculosis Infection-Video Podcast
In the days following the release of the guidelines, CEBSB staff worked with social media experts to develop “tweets” for Twitter and messages for Facebook. The CDC.gov homepage also prominently displayed a feature about the 12-dose regimen. This feature article is available in English and Spanish.
New, Simpler Way to Treat Latent TB Infection–CDC Web Feature
Additionally, multiple Web pages were updated to include information about the 12-dose treatment regimen.
Treatment
Treatment for Latent TB Infection
Treatment Options for Latent Tuberculosis Infection
Targeted Tuberculosis (TB) Testing and Treatment of Latent TB Infection- Slide set
CEBSB will continue to update and develop new materials related to the 12-dose regimen in the coming months.
Reference
CDC. Recommendations for use of an isoniazid-rifapentine regimen with direct observation to treat latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. MMWR 2011 Dec. 9; 60 (48):1650-53
—Reported by Nicole Richardson-Smith, MA
Div of TB Elimination
TB 101 for Health Care Workers
Background
TB 101 for Health Care Workers is a web-based course designed to educate health care workers about basic concepts related to TB prevention and control in the United States. TB 101 was developed as a collaborative effort between CDC’s Division of Tuberculosis Elimination (DTBE) and the four CDC-funded TB Regional Training and Medical Consultation Centers (RTMCCs): the New Jersey Medical School Global TB Institute, the Southeastern National TB Center, the Heartland National TB Center, and the Curry International TB Center. The need for an online basic TB course for persons new to the field of TB and persons working in related health fields (e.g., HIV/AIDS and STD programs, correctional healthcare) was identified through a review of both formal and informal TB training and education needs assessments conducted by CDC and the RTMCCs. A multi-phased, systematic health education process was utilized for the development of this course.
Target Audience
The target audience for the course includes newly hired TB program staff, HIV/AIDS and STD staff, and health care workers in areas related to TB. Due to its introductory-level content, physicians are not the target audience for this course.
Course Content
The course consists of six lessons:
- Introduction
- TB Transmission and the Development of TB Disease
- Testing for TB Infection
- Diagnosis of TB Disease
- Treatment of Latent TB Infection
- Treatment of TB Disease
The course also includes interactive case studies and study questions throughout each lesson to reinforce key concepts.
TB 101 takes approximately 1 hour to complete.
Participant Feedback on the Course
As of March 1, 2012, approximately 1,300 participants have completed the course since its release on January 5, 2012. Of these participants, 977 completed the course for continuing education (CE) units. Participant feedback from the CE course evaluation has been overwhelmingly positive.
Select Course Evaluation Results
| Evaluation Question | % Answer |
|---|---|
The content and learning materials addressed a need or a gap in my knowledge or skills. |
92% Strongly Agree/Agree |
Delivery method used helped me learn the content. |
96% Strongly Agree/Agree |
If given an opportunity, I can apply the knowledge gained as a result of this activity. |
98% Strongly Agree/Agree |
Summary of Comments from Participants
Overall, many participants found the course content to be clear, concise, and easy to understand. Below are a few select comments from course participants:
- “Excellent format and information. I plan to assign this activity to my staff.”
- “Appropriate and easy to learn from this technique.”
- “The content and learning material was very good for someone new to TB and was very current for someone with TB experience.”
- “Excellent introduction to TB.”
- “I felt the content was a fabulous refresher for me. Highlighted on important things.”
- “Case studies were excellent.”
Accessing the Course and Continuing Education
To access the TB 101, please visit the CDC website.
Continuing education (CE) units for this course are offered free of charge for various professions:
- Continuing education units (CEUs): CDC has been approved as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500, McLean, VA 22102. The CDC is authorized by IACET to offer 0.1 ANSI/IACET CEUs for this program.
- Continuing nursing education (CNEs): CDC is accredited as a provider of Continuing Nursing Education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This activity provides 1.1 contact hours.
- Continuing education contact hours (CECHs): Sponsored by CDC, a designated provider of CE contact hours (CECHs) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designed for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) to receive up to 1.0 Category I CECHs in health education. CDC provider number GA0082.
More information about the CE units is available on the CDC website.
—Submitted by Sarah Segerlind, MPH
Division of TB Elimination
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Division of Tuberculosis Elimination (DTBE)
1600 Clifton Rd., NE
MS E10
Atlanta, GA 30333 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348 - New Hours of Operation
8am-8pm ET/Monday-Friday
Closed Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov
