TABLE 3.

Program Activities and Characteristics Related to Modernizing CICT

Programmatic Activities and Characteristics	Considerations
Engaging community and health care organizations	• Staff should be reflective of communities receiving CICT • Community engagement to shape process and promote CICT acceptance • Engagement with HCOs to access data, develop and promulgate clinical guidance, and coordinate clinical services
Workforce development and retention	• Staff diversity—diverse clinical, language, and cultural skills to accomplish diverse CICT objectives • Training ○ Combination of federally and state/locally developed trainings ○ Varied modality—online/didactic, skills-based, mentored work ○ Core elements for all DIS + program specific training ○ Need to balance desire to impart comprehensive skills/knowledge with need to rapidly engage staff in work that promotes the public's health • Retention through competitive compensation and a clear career development path • Contingency plans to rapidly expand workforce to respond to emerging threats
Organizational structure	• Dilemma—vertical vs horizontal program structure—need to ensure collaboration between disease investigators, epidemiology, and clinical staff
Data Information Systems	• Dilemma—large, multipurpose data systems vs small, project specific data systems ○ Balance large scale capacity and functionality with need for versatility and programmatic control • Need to engage diverse stakeholders
Prioritization	• Clearly define hierarchy of priorities ○ Occurs at both the departmental and program level ○ Priorities defined by disease, population, and content of intervention • Which cases are worked varies over time reflecting hierarchy of priorities, population-level morbidity, and staffing
Content of CICT	• Varies depending on health condition, epidemiologic context, and resources • Whenever possible, the goal is to integrate epidemiologic data collection, disease prevention, and activities that benefit index cases and partners directly • Expanding measurable goals beyond data collection and contact tracing for a single specific infection can improve the impact and cost-effectiveness of CICT
Surge capacity	• Staff should be prepared to shift work to address public health emergencies

HCO, health care organization.