Adapting the Germ Defence Web-Based Intervention to Improve Infection Prevention and Control in Care Homes: Interview Study Among Care Home Staff (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.66706
• Publication Date: 2024-09-24T02:44:06Z
• Authors: Alex Hall; Johanna Aguilera-...; Lisa McGarrigle; Charlotte Eost-Te...; James Denison-Day; Christie Cabral; Merlin Willcox; Chris Todd
• Keywords: Preprint

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Infection prevention and control (IPC) is vital in care homes, as it can reduce morbidity mortality by 30%. Ensuring good IPC practice a perennial challenge the varied complex context of homes. Behaviour change interventions, delivered via digital technology, may be effective improving among home staff. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> This study aimed to evaluate how an evidence-based, behaviour intervention called Germ Defence rapidly adapted meet needs <title>METHODS</title> The applied person-based approach, which emphasises iterative approaches optimising interventions individual user feedback. Phase 1 involved initial edits website research team create for Care Homes (GDCH) Version 1. 2 consisted stakeholder consultation on GDCH followed 2. formal (Phases 3 4) think-aloud interviews with 21 staff from management, ancillary positions four giving real-time feedback they worked through GDCH. Edits were made between Phases 4. During development Versions 3, became clear that would need more fundamental changes beyond pragmatic, incremental possible scope study. Analysis was completed rapid, qualitative descriptive approach develop high-level summary key findings interview data. <title>RESULTS</title> There mixed results about attractiveness its suitability context. Participants felt images needed aligned much closely meaning adjacent text. Many participants not have time read text-based website, some suggested interactive or engaging content, including audio video, preferable. Most overall concept clearly relevant their Some might useful introduction new refresher current staff, but others did add anything existing training. opinions level detail provided information offered site. While goal-setting mechanism potential, unsuitable homes work refine it. <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> Much done make engaging, accessible workforce. Our highlights challenges adapting Future this area require pragmatic methodological focus implementation.