Hawaii physician and nurse bioterrorism preparedness survey.

Introduction: Physicians and nurses are integral components of the publichealth bioterrorism surveillance system. However, most published bioterrorismpreparedness surveys focus on gathering information related to selfassessedknowledge or perceived needs and abilities.Objective: A survey of physicians and nurses in Hawaii was conducted toassess objective knowledge regarding bioterrorism agents and diseases andperceived response readiness for a bioterrorism event.Methods: During June and July 2004, an anonymous survey was mailed up tothree times to a random sample of all licensed physicians and nurses residingin Hawaii.Results: The response rate was 45% (115 of 255) for physicians and 53% (146of 278) for nurses. Previous bioterrorism preparedness training associated significantlywith knowledge-based test performance in both groups. Only 20%of physicians or nurses had had previous training in bioterrorism preparedness,and 70%expressed willingness to assist the state in the event of a bioterrorist attack.Conclusions: Additional bioterrorism preparedness training should be madeavailable through continuing education and also should become a componentof both medical and nursing school curricula. It is important to provide theknowledge necessary for physicians and nurses to improve their ability to performin the event of a bioterrorist attack.