INTRODUCTION

The 2002 Preconference Workshop included a panel of speakers on bioterrorism and an interactive exercise in which participants worked through a realistic bioterrorism scenario, responding to the situation via a series of activities. This website includes materials to conduct a similar exercise in a graduate classroom setting, as well as videos of the panel speakers. Please note that the original audience for the interactive exercise was comprised of public health faculty members. If this exercise is re-created in a graduate classroom setting, some additional preparation on topics not covered on this site, may be needed in order for the students to have the richest possible experience.

The website has three sections:

Bioterrorism Basics contains a presentation by Samuel Watson, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health, which provides an overview of the phenomenon of bioterrorism and essential details on the role of public health in preparedness, response and containment efforts. In this section you can view the PowerPoint presentation while hearing the synchronized presentation comments of Mr. Watson. You can also download the PowerPoint slides, including speaker notes, for your use in the classroom. This presentation would be an excellent part of any preparation for learners who will later participate in the interactive group exercise.

Interactive Group Exercise contains an exercise created and moderated by Michael Allswede, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Emergency Medicine, as well as other materials you may need to re-create the exercise. In this section you can view the PowerPoint presentation containing the exercise, while hearing the comments of Dr. Allswede. You can also download the PowerPoint slides, including speaker notes. Also available in this section are a Faculty Guide with information and tips on re-creating the exercise, and some additional resources related to the exercise.

Panel Speakers contains video archives of six panel speaker presentations on bioterrorism given during the preconference. The archives include a brief description of the talks and links for viewing each one separately. These presentations are offered as added resources for information on the subject of public health and bioterrorism. The information contained in them is not necessarily prerequisite for learners who participate in the interactive group exercise.