Evaluation of Navigating a Foodborne Outbreak: Medical Learners Before and During COVID-19

Abstract

Navigating a Foodborne Outbreak: Preparation for Interprofessional Practice is an interactive, competency-based, online educational module demonstrating interprofessional practice among health professionals to improve and protect population health, in the context of a foodborne outbreak. Authors reviewed registration data, pre- and postmodule knowledge assessments, and module evaluations from the 978 medical students and physicians (“medical learners”) who completed the module from July 2018 to June 2021, comparing their outcomes as well as assessing potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyses were conducted in 2022 and 2024. Students’ use remained stable, while physicians’ use increased over time, primarily as part of MPH curricula. Premodule knowledge assessment scores were higher for physicians. Average medical student performance improved by 51.37%; average physician performance improved by 33.33%. Premodule questions that addressed the coordination of clinical and public health practices, governmental public health emergency response processes, and how clinicians can inform the response were challenging for physicians and may represent public and population health (PPH) content that has not been emphasized in medical curricula. Medical learners reported high satisfaction with the module. Medical students’ agreement with statements about the relevance of the module to their current or future responsibilities and awareness of “how clinical care and public health systems work together to protect the health of populations” increased during the pandemic. The module successfully improved knowledge of clinical-public health collaborations to protect population health and is one model of how to integrate PPH content, including physicians’ roles in the public health system, into medical education.