title: Medical graduates' knowledge of bloodborne viruses and occupational exposures.
abstract: A survey of medical graduates commencing employment as junior doctors was performed to investigate knowledge of bloodborne viruses and occupational exposure management, coupled with their experience of occupational exposures. There was a mismatch between general knowledge (excellent) and knowledge of postexposure management (poor), and graduates had commonly experienced an occupational exposure and not reported it. The knowledge deficit regarding postexposure management and history of poor practice (ie, nonreporting) following an exposure implies that the transition period from student to junior doctor may be associated with increased occupational health and safety risk.
authors.affiliation: Assessment and Learning Design, Deakin Learning Futures, Deakin University, Burwood Campus, Burwood, VIC, Australia. Electronic address: Nicole.Koehler@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koehler
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vujovic
authors.affiliation: Monash Infectious Diseases, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dendle
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton Campus, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McMenamin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D056990:Post-Exposure Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods*; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Needlestick injury; Occupational exposure management; Postexposure prophylaxis