Pandemic Influenza Exercise To Teach Medical Students How To Deal With An Outbreak

WHAT: Pandemic Influenza Exercise for third-year medical students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. During this exercise, students will manage a pandemic influenza outbreak among “patients” -- represented by cardboard cutouts -- in a “hospital,” and track the outbreak from a public health perspective by interviewing actors who serve as standardized patients.

WHO: Third-year medical students, faculty and staff of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Graduate School of Public Health, and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

WHEN: Wednesday, May 10. The exercise will be run at 10:45 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.

WHERE: Lecture Room 6, Scaife Hall, 3550 Terrace St., Oakland

WHY: Biological threats to society, such as the avian flu, are a growing concern for the worldwide health care community. The University of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine has organized this program as part of the curriculum in order to prepare medical students to understand the nature of such public health disasters and how they can affect the health care system.

Note to Editors and Assignment Desks: The news media play a major role in times of crisis like the one being simulated in this exercise. Reporters wishing to participate in the simulation are welcome. Those wishing to participate, and/or cover the event should contact Kelli McElhinny at the UPMC News Bureau, 412-647-3555 to schedule a time and make parking arrangements.

Contact Information

Jocelyn Uhl

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Contact via E-mail