Infection control professionals' and infectious diseases physicians' knowledge, preparedness, and experiences of managing COVID-19 in Australian healthcare settings

Cristina Sotomayor-Castillo; Shizar Nahidi; Cecilia Li; Deborough Macbeth; Philip L Russo; Brett G Mitchell; Marilyn Cruickshank; Tania Sorrell; Nicole Gilroy; Patricia Ferguson; Matthew R Watts; Ramon Z Shaban

doi:10.1016/j.idh.2021.05.002

Infection control professionals' and infectious diseases physicians' knowledge, preparedness, and experiences of managing COVID-19 in Australian healthcare settings

Infect Dis Health. 2021 Nov;26(4):249-257. doi: 10.1016/j.idh.2021.05.002. Epub 2021 May 28.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine and Health, Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.
² Infection Control Department, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service, Southport, QLD, 4215, Australia.
³ Department of Nursing Research, Cabrini Institute, VIC, 3144, Australia; Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
⁴ School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, Newcastle University, NSW, 2308, Australia.
⁵ Nursing Research Unit, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia; Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
⁶ Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia; Infectious Diseases and Sexual Health Services, Westmead Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.
⁷ Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.
⁸ Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia; Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, New South Wales Health Pathology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.
⁹ Faculty of Medicine and Health, Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia; Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia; Department of Infection Prevention and Control, Division of Infectious Diseases and Sexual Health, Westmead Hospital & Western Sydney Local Health District, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia; New South Wales Biocontainment Centre, Western Sydney Local Health District and NSW Health, NSW, 2145, Australia. Electronic address: ramon.shaban@sydney.edu.au.

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 has placed unprecedented demands on infection control professionals (ICPs) and infectious disease (ID) physicians. This study examined their knowledge, preparedness, and experiences managing COVID-19 in the Australian healthcare settings.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of ICPs and ID physician members of the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) and the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases (ASID) was conducted using an online survey. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise and report data.

Results: A total of 103 survey responses were included in the analysis for ICPs and 45 for ID physicians. A majority of ICPs (78.7%) and ID physicians (77.8%) indicated having 'very good' or 'good' level of knowledge of COVID-19. Almost all ICPs (94.2%) relied on state or territory's department of health websites to source up-to-date information While most ID physicians (84.4%) used scientific literature and journals. A majority of ICPs (96%) and ID physicians (73.3%) reported feeling 'moderately prepared' or 'extremely prepared' for managing COVID-19. Most respondents had received specific training about COVID-19 within their workplace (ICPs: 75%; ID physicians: 66.7%), particularly training/certification in PPE use, which made them feel 'mostly or entirely confident' in using it. Most ICPs (84.5%) and ID physicians (76.2%) reported having 'considerably' or 'moderately more' work added to their daily duties. Their biggest concerns included the uncertainties under a rapidly changing landscape, PPE availability, and the community's compliance.

Conclusion: Harmonised information, specific COVID-19 training and education, and adequate support for front-line workers are key to successfully managing COVID-19 and other future outbreaks.

Keywords: Attitudes; COVID-19; Health knowledge; Infection control; Outbreaks; Practice.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Australia
COVID-19*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Infection Control
Physicians*
SARS-CoV-2