TB Contact Investigation Courses

Effectively conducting a TB contact investigation is a critical part of TB elimination and prevention.  In collaboration with the CDC and other TB Centers of Excellence, we have developed two courses to provide a comprehensive learning experience for those who need training.  Below is a brief description of each course.

Level 1 Course:  TB Contact Investigation Fundamentals

Format:  Virtual    Time Allocation:  12 hours

Pre-requisite:  Learners must view an introductory tuberculosis recording and complete a short quiz before accessing the rest of the course. More information will be provided at time of enrollment.

Description: The TB Contact Investigation Fundamentals course is intended for public health nurses and other public health staff who conduct or manage TB contact investigations. The course introduces learners to the fundamental concepts of TB contact investigations and is a prerequisite for participation in the subsequent TB interviewing skills training. Topics include transmission and pathogenesis, introduction to TB contact investigations and the systematic approach to TB contact investigations. Exercises are focused on deciding when to initiate a contact investigation, determining the infectious period, and prioritizing contacts. Visit scheduled offerings for specific dates.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe priority activities for TB prevention and control
• Determine when to initiate a TB contact investigation
• Categorize contacts into high and low risk categories
• Summarize the process of evaluating and testing contacts
• Calculate the infectious period of patients with TB disease
• Recognize when to expand or conclude a contact investigation
• Identify effective communication skills used when conducting a TB contact investigation interview

Target Audience: Nurses and other healthcare professionals new to conducting TB contact investigations.

Available Credit:

• 12.00 ANCC
• 12.00 IPCE
• 12.00 Attendance

Level 2 Course:  TB Contact Investigation Interviewing Skills

Format:  In-person only    Time Allocation:  2 eight-hour days

Pre-requisite: Learners must have successfully completed the Level 1 TB Contact Investigation Fundamentals Course offered by a TB Center of Excellence.

This course is intended for public health nurses and other public health staff who conduct interviews for TB contact investigations. This course is focused on building and strengthening interviewing skills necessary for conducting effective TB contact investigations. The course outlines the key steps of the TB interview and employs role play techniques as part of small group activities. Participants will have the opportunity to conduct multiple practice interviews, one of which will be videotaped for the purpose of self-assessment. Visit scheduled offerings for specific dates.

Target Audience: Nurses and other healthcare professionals who conduct TB contact investigations as part of their job duties.

Available Credit: No credit is currently offered for the level 2 course.