Dirt and disgust as key drivers in nurses' infection control behaviours: an interpretative, qualitative study

ObjectiveTo explore and analyse causes of stress among nurses in palliative and inpatient hospice care settings in Germany during the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignExplorative, qualitative study using problem-centred interviews. Interview data were analysed using structured qualitative content analysis.SettingTelephone interviews with nurses of different settings of palliative and inpatient hospice care.Participants16 nurses from inpatient hospice, palliative care units and specialised palliative home care were recruited.ResultsCOVID-19 infection control measures placed both physical and psychological strain on palliative care nurses. Due to changes in infection control information, workflows were being readjusted on a daily basis, preventing everyday routines and hindering relief from stress. There are reduced and limited opportunities for sharing and reflecting on daily working routines with team colleagues. Specific causes of stress in the individual settings of palliative and inpatient hospice care were identified. Overall, there is a tension between the nurses’ perceptions of proper palliative care nursing, in terms of closeness, psychosocial and emotional support and compliance with infection control measures.ConclusionsPalliative care nurses have been exposed to high levels of both physical and psychological stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. This requires rapid relief and support, with a need to ensure continuity of professional supervision and peer-support, which may be facilitated via digital technologies. The unique role of nurses in inpatient hospice and palliative care during COVID-19 ought to be recognised and valorised.

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Infection control in the home: a qualitative study exploring perceptions and experiences of adhering to protective behaviours in the home during the COVID-19 pandemic

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056161 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. e056161

Author(s):

Katherine Morton ◽

Lauren Towler ◽

Julia Groot ◽

Sascha Miller ◽

Ben Ainsworth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Infection Control ◽

Survey Data ◽

Thematic Analysis ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Behavioural Intervention ◽

The Public ◽

Telephone Interviews ◽

Qualitative Survey ◽

Protective Behaviours

ObjectivesWe sought to explore people’s experiences and perceptions of implementing infection control behaviours in the home during the COVID-19 pandemic, guided by an online behavioural intervention.DesignInductive qualitative study.SettingUK public during the COVID-19 pandemic.ParticipantsThirteen people took part in telephone interviews, and 124 completed a qualitative open-text survey. All were recruited from the public. Most survey participants were aged over 60 years, while interview participants were more distributed in age. Most reported being at increased risk from COVID-19, and were white British.InterventionOnline behavioural intervention to support infection control behaviours in the home during the COVID-19 pandemic.Data collectionTelephone think-aloud interviews and qualitative survey data.Data analysisThe think-aloud interview data and qualitative survey data were analysed independently using inductive thematic analysis. The findings were subsequently triangulated.ResultsThematic analysis of the telephone interviews generated seven themes: perceived risk; belief in the effectiveness of protective behaviours; acceptability of distancing and isolation; having capacity to perform the behaviours; habit forming reduces effort; having the confidence to perform the behaviours; and social norms affect motivation to engage in the behaviours. The themes identified from the survey data mapped well onto the interview analysis. Isolating and social distancing at home were less acceptable than cleaning and handwashing, influenced by the need for intimacy with household members. This was especially true in the absence of symptoms and when perceived risk was low. People felt more empowered when they understood that even small changes, such as spending some time apart, were worthwhile to reduce exposure and lessen viral load.ConclusionsThe current study provided valuable insight into the acceptability and feasibility of protective behaviours, and how public health guidance could be incorporated into a behaviour change intervention for the public during a pandemic.

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Maximizing participation from online survey panel members

International Journal of Market Research ◽

10.1177/1470785319880704 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 147078531988070 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kylie Brosnan ◽

Astrid Kemperman ◽

Sara Dolnicar

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Choice Experiment ◽

Online Survey ◽

Relative Importance ◽

Stated Choice ◽

Online Panel ◽

Survey Participation ◽

Key Drivers ◽

Practical Guidance ◽

Online Panels

Low survey participation from online panel members is a key challenge for market and social researchers. We identify 10 key drivers of panel members’ online survey participation from a qualitative study and then determine empirically using a stated choice experiment the relative importance of each of those drivers at aggregate and segment levels. We contribute to knowledge on survey participation by (a) eliciting key drivers of survey participation by online panel members, (b) determining the relative importance of each driver, and (c) accounting for heterogeneity across panel members in the importance assigned to drivers. Findings offer immediate practical guidance to market and social researchers on how to increase participation in surveys using online panels.

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A conceptual framework to address administrative and infection control barriers for animal-assisted intervention programs in healthcare facilities: Perspectives from a qualitative study

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2021.24 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-2

Author(s):

Kathryn R. Dalton ◽

Peter Campbell ◽

William Altekruse ◽

Roland J. Thorpe ◽

Jacqueline Agnew ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Infection Control ◽

Conceptual Framework ◽

Intervention Programs ◽

Healthcare Facilities ◽

Animal Assisted Intervention

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Implementation of COVID-19 Infection Control Measures by German Dentists: A Qualitative Study to Identify Enablers and Barriers

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18115710 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 5710

Author(s):

Anne Müller ◽

Florentina Sophie Melzow ◽

Gerd Göstemeyer ◽

Sebastian Paris ◽

Falk Schwendicke

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Infection Control ◽

Role Model ◽

Theoretical Domains Framework ◽

Control Measures ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Infection Control Measures ◽

Dental Practices ◽

Guidelines And Recommendations

Objectives: COVID-19 infection control measures have been recommended for dental practices worldwide. This qualitative study explored barriers and enablers for the implementation of these measures in German dental practices. Methods: Semi-structured phone interviews were conducted in November/December 2020 (purposive/snowball sampling). The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and the Capabilities, Opportunities and Motivations influencing Behaviors model (COM-B) were used to guide interviews. Mayring’s content analysis was employed to analyze interviews. Results: All dentists (28–71 years, 4/8 female/male) had implemented infection control measures. Measures most frequently not adopted were FFP2 masks, face shields (impractical), the rotation of teams (insufficient staffing) and the avoidance of aerosol-generating treatments. Dentists with personal COVID-19 experience or those seeing themselves as a role model were more eager to adopt measures. We identified 34 enablers and 20 barriers. Major barriers were the lack of knowledge, guidelines and recommendations as well as limited availability and high costs of equipment. Pressure by staff and patients to ensure infection control was an enabler. Conclusions: Dentists are motivated to implement infection control measures, but lacking opportunities limited the adoption of certain measures. Policy makers and equipment manufacturers should address these points to increase the implementation of infection control measures against COVID-19 and potential future pandemics.

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