Assessing Trainee Needs for Developing Response Scenarios and Training Manuals for Unknown Infectious Diseases: Insights From a Focus Group Interview

Abstract

This study employed focus group interviews (FGIs) to evaluate the preparedness and training requirements for an emerging infectious disease response system in the Republic of Korea. Based on the FGIs, the critical role of interdepartmental cooperation in responding to emerging infectious diseases was identified, with agencies such as public health centers, police, and fire services playing key roles in scene control, decontamination, and patient transport. Frequent staff turnover and a lack of trained personnel at local government levels were significant challenges, necessitating the development of training materials for unskilled workers. Civil complaints, common during outbreaks, require public officials to be educated on legal frameworks and the management of patients’ rights. The absence of standardized procedures for managing patients, such as bed assignments considering underlying conditions and sample collection, underscores the need for comprehensive guidelines. Interviewees emphasized cross-departmental training, detailed manuals, and legal education to improve infectious disease response capabilities.