Nichols and Badger (2008) reported on a study which investigated
the sources of knowledge used by nurses to underpin their clinical
infection control practices. This study combined interviews and
observation. The authors reported that there was a clear preference
for learning in practice as opposed to from more formal sources. There
was also an indication of tacit learning being used to underpin good
practice, though when tacit learning was not congruent with the usual
standards of good practice, such learning could contribute to poor
practice.
The limited literature in this area highlights the need for further
research around infection control education in practice.
Teaching and learning methods in all areas of practice have changed
over time with a move from the traditional didactic methods to more
interactive approaches (Quinn and Hughes, 2007). The importance of
educational approaches in increasing knowledge has been highlighted
in the literature (Beers and Bowden, 2005, Walker et al., 2007). This has
been identified specifically in infection prevention and control. Gould
and Chamberlain (1997), for example, reported on a quasi-experimental
study which compared a group receiving theory and practical
demonstration sessionswith a control group. Therewere no changes in
performance in either group and the authors acknowledged that there
were important elements which were not combined with education
which may have had a more noticeable impact. This seems to relate to
previously discussed literature with no clear link between education
and improvements in practice. The approach of combining theory with
practical demonstration did evaluate well with staff which raises
questions about the validity of evaluation of teaching sessions if, while
sessions are evaluated well by staff, there is no identifiable change in
practice as a result of the educational input.
A mixed-methods study carried out in Scotland