Highlights
- •The effectiveness of virtual reality in learning about infection control is unknown.
- •Patients and their families can provide a unique perspective on the healthcare system.
- •Patient engagement has been shown to support improved patient outcomes.
- •There are key gaps in patient understanding about antimicrobial resistance.
- •Patients believe they can support environmental cleaning and to remind their visitor to wash their hands.
- •Tailored materials are needed to support patient participation.
Abstract
Background
Beyond the use of policy and system-focused approaches, it has been established globally
that patients can play a role in enhancing the health care landscape. However, efforts
to meaningfully translate patient engagement strategies that promote participation
by hospitalized patients in relevant infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship
activities have not yet been realized. This study mapped the key factors acting as
barriers and facilitators of patient engagement using a theoretical framework to identify
potential new approaches to promote engagement.
Methods
Semistructured interviews were conducted with 36 patients from 3 major hospitals in
Sydney, Australia, in 2019. Transcripts were inductively analyzed, with the resulting
themes categorized into the components of the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behavior
model.
Results
The themes regarding barriers to patient engagement with relevant infection prevention
and antimicrobial stewardship activities were: (1) Capability: misunderstanding and
knowledge gaps about antimicrobial resistance; (2) Opportunity: strong family/patient
support networks and good relationships with nursing staff provide an opportunity
to support engagement; (3) Motivation: those who have some level of understanding
or experience see the benefit and are most likely to engage actively.
Conclusions
Assuming patients are inclined to participate in efforts, a logical starting point
would be to build awareness amongst patients and providers; however, education will
not suffice. There needs to be a system and policy shift to ensure that patient engagement
is recognized as a worthy endeavor.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 25, 2022
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-ProofFootnotes
Funding/support: The support was provided by the Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation to support the activities in this project.
Conflicts of interest: None to report.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
