Long-term analysis of a novel course for teaching CBRN preparedness and response

Abstract

Following the current chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threat due to the war in Ukraine, we delivered a short and updated CBRN training course to postgraduate students enrolled in our MSc Advanced Biomedical Science programme (De Montfort University, UK) in 2021/22. The updated course included three 2-hour workshops, in which students needed to: a) complete different mini case studies on clinical parasitology to learn to diagnose different emerging zoonotic human pathogens; b) tailor a complete protection and decontamination plan to respond to different events involving emerging chemical/biological hazards; c) to report their plans and check for appropriateness. Students used the Public Health England (PHE) recovery guidance (UK Recovery Handbooks) and tools available, designed to assist decision makers with management of the protection and recovery phases in the aftermath of a chemical/biological incident. Each handbook presents different recovery options (ROs) or actions intended to reduce or avert exposure of people and the environment to CBRN contamination; ROs are selected based on the physicochemical/physiological characteristics of the agent(s) involved and the characteristics of the site. Although students (n=12) found the training difficult, 91.7% and 100% reported to have learnt appropriate techniques and strategies to decontaminate the environment in the aftermath of a biological and chemical incident, respectively. Students also overwhelmingly welcomed the CBRN training and indicated that the knowledge learnt in environmental toxicology will help them in their future career.