Evaluation of emergency preparedness exercises: The design of a questionnaire to measure staff perceptions

Abstract

Evaluation is an essential part of health emergency preparedness exercises (HEPE) that allows identification of limitations in performance. Addressing limitations enhances preparedness. However, there is a lack of reliable and validated tools to assist with exercise evaluation. This study reports the design and validation of a questionnaire to collect data from participants to study their experiences with HEPE and perceptions of their own and their organisation's emergency preparedness. Questionnaire test-retest reliability using ICC was checked (N = 27). Internal reliability using Cronbach's alpha is reported separately for discussion-based (N = 97) and operation-based exercises (N = 238). Analysis checked for discriminant validity and sensitivity to change. The questionnaire consists of four scales (parts): pre-exercise assessment, participant's perceptions, exercise feedback, and satisfaction with the exercise. All scales demonstrated good internal consistency for both exercise types (Cronbach's alpha: 0.672-0.940), but mixed test-retest agreement for the pre-exercise and exercise feedback scales. The questionnaire offers a valid and reliable tool for assessing healthcare staff perceptions of emergency preparedness and exercise satisfaction.