title: Educational interventions to improve knowledge and skills of interns towards prevention and control of hospital-associated infections.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We believe that there is significant educational deficit amongst interns regarding up-to-date formal knowledge and skills on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) which might compromise patient safety. This urgently requires curriculum innovations to ensure their formal training on HAIs prevention and control.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Education of interns to improve their knowledge and skills toward HAIs prevention and control.
  
  
  METHODS
  This pilot study was conducted in interns using a multimodal approach consisting of a combination of videos, PowerPoint presentation, and hands-on demonstration to provide applied and practical teaching on prevention and control of HAIs. Pre- and post-test assessment of knowledge, attitude, and skills was carried out by multiple choice questions, 5-point Likert scale, and Objective Structured Practical Examination respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Paired t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant improvement in the overall score rates between pre- and post-test of intern's was seen, suggesting that educational programs have a positive effect. Intern's felt benefitted from interventions focused on HAIs prevention and control and hoped that such sessions are integrated in the regular undergraduate curriculum. A majority of the students felt that their learning style assessment matched well with their own perception of learning preference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Assessment drives learning; hence strengthening the contribution of health-care workers to HAIs prevention programs should include measures that enhance knowledge, improve skills and develop appropriate attitudes, resulting in safety and quality of patient care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dogra
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Ruchita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mahajan
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Beena
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jad
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors.forename: Bella
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mahajan
keywords: Assessment; health-care workers; healthcare-associated infections; objective structured physical examination