Making tangible impact on deployments: preparing public health responders for complex emergencies

Authored by: Tanu Soni, Capacity Strengthening Project Officer and Sarah Armstrong, Training Manager, UK-PHRST
 
The UK-Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST) partners with low- and-middle income countries to support effective response to outbreaks before they develop into global health emergencies. But what does it take to prepare a team for the complex, often unpredictable environments they will face?
 
The UK-PHRST has a 50-strong team of de ployable experts, including core team members, Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) fellows and a Reserve cadre. The team bring expertise in epidemiology, microbiology, infection prevention and control (IPC), social science, risk communication, mental health and psychosocial support. However, applying this expertise in unfamiliar and challenging environments demands far more than just technical skills. Deployees require adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to navigate the intricate social and political landscapes of the regions in which they are deployed.
 
To prepare for these demands, the UK-PHRST Capacity Strengthening team provides a comprehensive deployment training programme. The training is designed to equip participants with the skills necessary to respond effectively to requests for assistance from national governments and global health partners. As we reflect on the recent UK-PHRST deployment training held in June 2024, it’s clear that to create a meaningful impact, we need an approach that is value based and grounded in the principles of public health.
 
Cross-learning and expanding horizons
 
Responding to outbreaks succesfully can’t be achieved alone. The impacts of diseases on communities are complex, so deployees need to consider a wide range of experiences and voices when making decisions. This core skill is emphasised in the training through a focus on cross learning.   Participants from various backgrounds and disciplines —including epidemiology, mental health, IPC, microbiology and risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) engaged in scenario-based exercises that simulated real-world challenges. Six representatives from Africa Centre for Disease Control (Africa CDC) from both Head Office and the Regional Coordinating Centres from across the continent also took part, with technical backgrounds in Epidemiology, Mental Health and RCCE. Their participation helped  broaden the scope of the training, bringing wider perspectives and expertise to the table, enriching the training experience. Each participant contributed their unique insights, something noted in their feedback: “I liked that the facilitator drew on the experiences and expertise of the participants—I learned a lot from others’ contributions.” This was echoed by many, highlighting the value of networking and relationship-building in the training. Another participant noted, “I really valued the networking and relationship-building section and think it will be really useful whilst on deployment.”
 
Beyond operational skills: The critical role of soft skills
 
The success of deployments is not only down to technical expertise and process, soft skills are also vital. Public health experts must build trust with communities, navigate cultural difference, manage stresses to ensure their work has maximum positive impact whilst in-country, and much more. The deployment training covers team working, collaboration, negotiation, cultural humility, conflict management, and coping with the operational demands of working in fragile settings. These skills are emphasised throughout the training by creating a realistic but supportive environment through scenario-based activities. This provides the opportunity to explore different approaches to deployment situations and try out new skills in a safe space.  One participant aptly summarised this aspect of the training, saying, “The soft skills, mainly working with others, the MHPSS [Mental Health and Psychosocial Support], and safeguarding sessions are instrumental, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity! In addition to the learning, the training helped me connect with other participants and expand my network.”
 
"Unique", "Dynamic", and "Life-changing"
 
Over the course of the four-days, it was evident that the training had a profound impact - participants grew in confidence and in their ability and readiness to handle deployment challenges. Peer support played a crucial role in this, with participants often encouraging one another with guidance and feedback during the more demanding aspects of the training. The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many appreciated the practical and roleplay-based nature of the training, describing it as enabling ‘embedded knowledge.’ Others emphasised the transformative nature of the training, describing it as ‘unique’, ‘dynamic’ and ‘life-changing’. In testament to the training's overall success, participants also expressed a sense of achievement and unity, describing themselves as ‘proud’ and in the ‘same boat’ as their peers throughout the experience.
 
Looking ahead: Building resilience in public health rapid responders
 
It’s clear that the UK-PHRST's deployment training programme is more than just a preparatory training —it’s a critical component in building a responsive, skilled, and adaptable public health rapid response team . By emphasising cross-learning , soft skills, and collaboration, the training equips experts with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of emergency deployments, all in a supportive environment.
 
The inclusion of partners such as Africa CDC emphasises the importance of partnerships in global health and the mutual benefits that this brings , and the positive feedback from participants highlights the training’s effectiveness in preparing deployees for the challenges and opportunities of emergency response.
 
There is no doubt that a values-based approach is essential for leading with integrity and making meaningful impact in the field of public health. As the UK-PHRST is committed to refining and adapting our training programme to ensure that public health experts are not only technically proficient but also grounded in ethical principles, empathy, cultural humility, and resilience. This way, those attending the programme can contribute to tangible positive impacts during their deployments.

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