COVID-19 Contact Tracing from Coursera

The COVID-19 crisis has created an unprecedented need for contact tracing across the country, requiring thousands of people to learn key skills quickly. The job qualifications for contact tracing positions differ throughout the country and the world, with some new positions open to individuals with a high school diploma or equivalent.

In this introductory course, students will learn about the science of SARS-CoV-2 , including the infectious period, the clinical presentation of COVID-19, and the evidence for how SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted from person-to-person and why contact tracing can be such an effective public health intervention. Students will learn about how contact tracing is done, including how to build rapport with cases, identify their contacts, and support both cases and their contacts to stop transmission in their communities. The course will also cover several important ethical considerations around contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine. Finally, the course will identify some of the most common barriers to contact tracing efforts -- along with strategies to overcome them.

What's inside

Syllabus

Basics of COVID-19

In this first module, we'll dig into the science of COVID-19, including what we know about its origins, clinical signs and symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, transmission, and infectious period.

Basics of Contact Tracing for COVID-19

Now that you've learned about the basics of COVID-19, we'll turn our attention to some of the tools being used to stop the spread: contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine. We'll also show you how what you've already learned about infection and transmission informs the use of these critical public health tools.

Steps to Investigate Cases and Trace Their Contacts

In this module, we'll walk through the steps of the contact tracing process and provide examples. You'll also get to watch demonstrations of basic interactions with a case and and a contact.

Ethics of Contact Tracing and Technological Tools

In this module, you'll learn about the important ethical dimensions of contract tracing, including how we balance the protection of the public's health with limits on personal privacy and autonomy. We'll walk through some specific examples to prepare you for some of the issues contact tracers encounter during the course of their work.

Skills for Effective Communication

Effective communication is the cornerstone of a successful contact tracing interaction. That includes building rapport with cases and contacts, active listening, and asking the right kinds of questions. In this module, you'll watch and read several example interactions that demonstrate both how and how not to conduct yourself as a contact tracer.

Final Assessment (Graded)

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Builds a strong foundation for beginners who want to learn more about contact tracing

Teaches skills, knowledge, and tools that are highly relevant in public health settings

Covers unique perspectives and ideas that may add color to other topics and public health

Taught by recognized instructors in public health

Offers hands-on labs and interactive materials, such as demonstrations and examples

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in COVID-19 Contact Tracing with these activities:

Review critical concepts from infectious disease epidemiology

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Reviewing critical concepts from infectious disease epidemiology will help you strengthen your foundation in the subject and better understand the concepts covered in this course.

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Read through your lecture notes or textbook chapters on infectious disease epidemiology.
Take practice quizzes or answer review questions to test your understanding.
Discuss key concepts with classmates or a study group.

Review the basics of epidemiology

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Contact tracing relies heavily on epidemiological principles to identify and contain outbreaks. Reviewing the basics of epidemiology will help you understand the concepts and theories behind contact tracing.

Browse courses on Epidemiology

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Read a textbook or online article on epidemiology.
Attend a webinar or lecture on epidemiology.
Take a quiz or practice questions on epidemiology concepts.

Review introductory epidemiology

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Complete a review of basic principles of epidemiology including concepts of incidence, prevalence, and risk assessment to strengthen foundational knowledge for this course.

Browse courses on Epidemiology

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Review lecture notes or textbook chapters on introductory epidemiology concepts.
Complete practice problems or quizzes to test understanding of key terms and concepts.

Seven other activities

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Explore online resources and tutorials on contact tracing

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There are numerous reputable organizations and institutions that provide online resources and tutorials on contact tracing. Exploring these materials will supplement your knowledge and provide additional perspectives on best practices.

Browse courses on Contact Tracing

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Visit the websites of the CDC, WHO, or your local public health department.
Search for online courses or webinars on contact tracing.
Follow experts in the field on social media or subscribe to their newsletters.

Explore online tutorials on contact tracing techniques

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Expand knowledge and refine skills by engaging with online resources that provide guided instruction on contact tracing best practices.

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Identify reputable online platforms or resources offering tutorials on contact tracing.
Select tutorials that cover specific areas of interest or skills you want to develop.
Follow the instructions and complete the exercises provided in the tutorials.

Form a study group with classmates

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Collaborate with peers to review course material, discuss concepts, and support each other's learning.

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Connect with classmates and form a study group of 3-5 individuals.
Establish a regular meeting schedule and agree on topics to cover.
Take turns leading discussions, presenting key concepts, and facilitating group activities.

Review 'Principles of Epidemiology' by Gordis

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Read and engage with a foundational text in epidemiology to reinforce course concepts and broaden understanding of the field.

View Epidemiology on Amazon

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Read assigned chapters or sections relevant to the course material.
Summarize key concepts and theories presented in the book.
Apply knowledge gained from the book to course discussions or assignments.

Practice interviewing and case investigation skills

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Effective contact tracing involves skillful interviewing and case investigation to identify and follow up with contacts of infected individuals. Practicing these skills will enhance your proficiency in conducting successful contact tracing investigations.

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Conduct mock interviews with a partner or colleague.
Review case investigation reports and analyze the techniques used.
Participate in online simulations or training exercises on contact tracing.

Practice contact tracing scenarios

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Engage in mock contact tracing exercises to develop proficiency in interviewing techniques, data collection, and risk assessment.

Browse courses on Contact Tracing

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Review provided case studies or scenarios involving contact tracing investigations.
Conduct mock interviews with simulated contacts to gather information and assess risk factors.
Analyze data collected and identify potential transmission chains.

Volunteer with a local health department

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Gain hands-on experience in a public health setting to apply contact tracing skills and contribute to community health efforts.

Browse courses on Public Health Practice

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Contact your local health department and inquire about volunteer opportunities in contact tracing.
Attend training sessions and receive guidance from experienced contact tracers.
Assist with contact tracing investigations, data collection, and risk assessment.
Participate in outreach and education activities to promote public health measures.

Career center

Learners who complete COVID-19 Contact Tracing will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury in human populations. This course on COVID-19 contact tracing would be particularly useful for epidemiologists, as it would help them to understand the science behind contact tracing and how to effectively trace contacts of individuals who have been infected with COVID-19.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurses work to prevent disease and promote health in communities. This course on COVID-19 contact tracing would be useful for Public Health Nurses, as it would help them to understand the science behind contact tracing and how to effectively trace contacts of individuals who have been infected with COVID-19.

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Contact Tracer

Contact Tracers work to identify and track individuals who have been in contact with someone who has been infected with a contagious disease.

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Disease Intervention Specialist

Disease Intervention Specialists work to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

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Health Educator

Health Educators work to promote health and prevent disease in communities.

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Public Health Administrator

Public Health Administrators plan, implement, and evaluate public health programs.