Preparing for and responding to bioterrorist attacks: the role of disease management initiatives.

Components of disease management that are applicable to the development of services for bioterrorism preparedness and response include collaborative practice models, population identification processes, reporting/feedback loops, process and outcome measurements, patient self-management education, and evidence-based practice guidelines.

This management system should be flexible and applicable to all possible diseases associated with bioterrorism, while including specific management recommendations for each disease.There are many gaps in the US's ability to respond to a bioterrorist attack that can only be filled by collaborative research among disciplines involved with bioterrorism preparedness; namely, basic, clinical, and behavioral sciences, public health, and law. Laboratory scientists will need to develop new and improved diagnostic tests, treatments, and protective measures.

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