The Toxicologist’s Role in Community Outreach: Engaging Fellows in Education and Advocacy Efforts

In 1953, the first poison control center in the U.S. was formally recognized, and subsequently became a focal point for the efforts of physicians spearheading public education and prevention efforts surrounding the dangers of accidental poisonings in children [1–3].While our poison control centers (PCC) and many of our senior colleagues continue to provide community service through advocacy and educational outreach, many fellowships focus primarily on the management of poisoning emergencies and education of healthcare providers [4]. Care of the poisoned patient is at the heart of what we do as toxicologists, but poisoning prevention advocacy and community education are truly the foundation of what we do. By identifying opportunities for advocacy and community outreach amenable to fellow participation, we can provide fellows with more experiences and a broader perspective of what it means to be a toxicologist. As we explore ways to engage toxicology trainees in education and outreach efforts, we should examine recent and ongoing poisoning prevention advocacy efforts. An inspiring ACMT Ellenhorn Lecture BFrom Bedside to Advocacy,^ delivered at the 2015 North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology (NACCT) by Dr. Fred Henretig, outlined the journey from a single case of pediatric laundry pod exposure managed at the bedside to the resultant national promotion of public education and advocacy of poisoning prevention efforts [5]. Dr. Lewis Goldfrank’s recent presentation on BThe Importance of Toxicologic Research in Global Health^ at NACCT was equally motivating, calling for a commitment to global health efforts and advocating for prevention by generating and sharing of knowledge while engaging in respectful partnerships with national and international organizations [6]. Fellows need to consider that improving public health lies at the root of toxicology, and participating in education and outreach locally and nationally during training is a key first step in engaging in this commitment globally. Poison control centers have traditionally been the primary exposure fellows have to community outreach and poisoning prevention advocacy. Toxicology-trained educators at PCCs provide the public with relevant toxicology information based on toxico-surveillance of the communities they serve [7, 8]. They serve a large and diverse audience including medical personnel, individuals concerned about potential toxicological exposures, policy makers, and news media professionals. Examples of PCC interactions with this community which could be undertaken by fellows include volunteering at safety fairs, developing protocols for local emergency medical services (EMS) agencies, collaborating with local health agencies during outbreaks, and providing education on emerging exposures at training events for public service professionals, such as fire and EMS providers. Medical directors and PCC directors serve as experts in developing content for PCC websites, create educational campaigns based on epidemiological trends, participate in news media interviews, and present both direct and indirect education for the community. Many of these directors also serve on regional and state committees, where they lobby the legislature for continued PCC funding or advocate for legislation supporting poisoning prevention. Most PCCs welcome fellow collaboration and provide mentorship for interested fellows in any of these facets of community education. * G. A. Beauchamp beauchamp.gillian@gmail.com