Immunization Information System Training Made Easy and Interactive for Users!

Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to understand how to design, develop, implement, and evaluate an interactive training CD-ROM to build user's capacity to input immunization information data; access the system for immunization records; and ultilize a health communications product.

Background:
The Georgia Registry of Immunization Transaction and Services (GRITS) is the state's birth to death immunization information system designed to collect and maintain accurate, complete, and current immunization records in compliance with Georgia Law (OCGA 31-12-3.1) and national health standards. GRITS currently has 68 million immunization records and 16,000 partners enrolled. GRITS contains the confidential immunization records of 7 million Georgians.

Setting:
Local and State health departments, Physician Offices, and Schools

Population:
Immunization program and registry staff, health care providers, school nurses, and immunization partners

Project Description:
The Georgia Immunization program conducts 500 immunization information system trainings a year for users. Qualified instructors lead hands-on training in a 1.5 to 4 hour classroom setting or provider's office. Class size is limited to 20 participants. The GRITS CD-ROM supplements class training by providing exercises and simulations to highlight key areas for learning, based on help-desk and customer service calls. Users get to test their immunization information knowledge and train as often as needed. The GRITS CD-ROM assists with the growing number of training and retraining needs. These needs reflect the growth of the immunization information system, new users, and staff changes.

Results/Lessons Learned:
The development of an interactive CD-ROM training product takes about 4 - 6 months from start to finish. It is essential to identify scope of work to develop priorities and to select pilot sites based on system user access. The GRITS CD-ROM sets a new level for interactive training. The GRITS CD-ROM has received stellar reviews from users and partners. The GRITS web-based version will become available in the near future.