Online infection control training: Perceived barriers and enablers to training and practice

Abstract

Safety climate, specifically employees' perceptions of management's commitment to safety, plays a vital role in the adoption of safe work practices. Infection control training contributes to safety climate and is a visible sign of organizational commitment to safety. Time constraints, shift work, and demanding workloads limit health-care workers' access to infection control training. Online education potentially facilitates access to educational opportunities. This research sought to ascertain health-care workers' perceptions of an online infection control course offered through the workplace and perceptions of online education in general. Fifty health-care workers from a variety of hospital and community settings were interviewed - 25 had taken the online course, and 25 had not. Content analysis was performed using the constant comparative method. Participants who took the course outlined its utility as an infection control refresher. Online education was viewed as having potential due to its flexibility. Participants recognized the importance of infection control, but identified a lack of consistent opportunities for continuing education. Health-care worker' engagement in education is determined in part by management support of educational opportunities. Making this online course a mandatory requirement was viewed as evidence of such support.