A competency-based evaluation of a Postgraduate Certificate in Infection Prevention and Control (2020-2023)

Background
Infection prevention and control (IPC) support is required in all healthcare settings to ensure compliance with relevant policies and procedures. It is estimated that 4.4% of residents in residential care facilities acquire an infection in care that they did not have before entering the institution. The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected residents of residential care facilities and appointment of designated IPC professionals for each long-term care institution has been recommended to address this problem.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for IPC expertise in 2020 Leading Healthcare Providers Skillnet supported the development of a Postgraduate Certificate in IPC in the School of Public Health, University College Cork to support the training of IPC practitioners to support the long-term residential care setting.

Aim:
The aim of this report was to evaluate and explore the impact of completion of a PG Cert in IPC on clinical practice in long-term residential care facilities (LTRCFs).

Methods:
A mixed methods approach was used which incorporated both quantitative and qualitative data collection. Quantitative data included, student feedback, programme advisory panel feedback, external examiner feedback and an IPC competency-based questionnaire. Qualitative data were collected using an IPC competency-based semi-structured interview guide.

Findings were explored, compared and contrasted to provide an insight into the quality of the programme, student experiences and practical outcomes in the clinical setting.

Summary of findings:
Student evaluations conducted during the programme indicated that the students felt their experience, assessment and potential for the programme to support career progression to be Very Good / Good in the majority of cases. Programme Advisory Panel and External Examiner feedback was positive over the three years investigated. Questionnaire responses indicated that graduate experiences were positive with over 95% of participants rating their experience on the programme to be good or very good and over 90% of participants indicated that the support they received from the course team to be good or very good. Participants indicated they were satisfied they met the learning outcomes and competencies outlined in the programme in over 80% of cases. Post graduate experiences from the qualitative interviews were mapped to the competencies of Leadership, Education, Clinical Practice and Quality Improvement and Patient Safety. The competency of Microbiology and Surveillance did not emerge from the qualitative interviews but was evident in the quantitative data collection.

Conclusion
Participation in the PG Cert in IPC supported graduates in the practical application of competency-based IPC in their work settings. Feedback indicates that increased knowledge, competency, leadership skills and confidence have had a positive impact on IPC application in the residential care setting.