Healthcare worker mental models of patient care tasks in the context of infection prevention and control

• DOI: 10.1017/ice.2021.368
• Publication Date: 2021-09-10T08:30:31Z
• Authors: Joel M. Mumma; Jessica R. Howard...; Jill S. Morgan; Kevin Schink; Marisa J. Wheatley; Colleen S. Kraft; Morgan A. Lane; Noah H. Kaufman; Oluwateniola Ayeni; Erik A. Brownsword; Jesse T. Jacob
• Keywords: Salience (neuroscience)

Abstract Objective: Understanding the cognitive determinants of healthcare worker (HCW) behavior is important for improving use infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. Given a patient requiring only standard precautions, we examined dimensions along which different populations HCWs cognitively organize care tasks (ie, their mental models). Design: read description then rated similarities 25 from an perspective. Using multidimensional scaling, identified characteristics tasks) underlying these ratings salience each dimension to HCWs. Setting: Adult inpatient hospitals across academic hospital network. Participants: In total, 40 HCWs, comprising preventionists nurses intensive units, emergency departments, medical-surgical floors similarity tasks. To identify meaning dimension, another 6 task in terms specific Results: Each HCW population perceived vary 3 common dimensions; most salient was magnitude risk task, followed by dirtiness exposure body fluids, lastly, relative importance preventing versus controlling patient. Conclusions: For have similar models how various relate IPC. Techniques eliciting open new avenues understanding ultimately modifying IPC behaviors.