“Public Health Investigation”: Focus Group Study of a Regional Infectious Disease Exercise

This study evaluated a month-long, web-based infectious disease exercise used by local health departments to practice outbreak response from their own offices. Staff reported stronger coordination across counties, better understanding of surge capacity, and improved use of real-world tools and protocols. The format made training more realistic and easier to integrate into daily work compared to short, in-person drills. Key gaps included risk communication, especially for smaller departments, and confusion around exercise rules and technology. Participants recommended shorter exercises, clearer instructions, and more realistic elements like patient interviews. Overall, regional collaboration and working in real conditions were the biggest gains.