Virtual Vs In-Personal Teaching of Infection Control Essentials: A Quasi-Experimental Multi-Center Nonequivalent Groups Design

Abstract

BACKGROUND In setting of the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to endorse infection control competencies. However, whether virtual training is equivalent to in-person teaching to develop such competencies requires further elucidation. AIM We aim to explore the effect of a brief, three-to-five-minute training session on infection control competencies in the major area of emergency department infection control, using virtual versus in-person training. METHODS Two hospitals were chosen, and the study design was a quasi-experimental multi-centre nonequivalent groups design. RESULT The learning score increased from 39.06%, SD=17.18 (95% CI 32.39-45.72) to 52.48%, SD=26.48 (95% CI 44.01-60.95) in the virtual training group, and from 47.86%, SD=22.51 (95% CI 41.47-54.26) to 79.65%, SD=21.45 (95% CI 70.14-89.16) after the in-person teaching. The mean difference between the two groups revealed a higher learning score using in-person teaching: 27.16%; t(60)=-4.12, p = 0.0001. CONCLUSION Infection control competencies are better acquired via in-person teaching than by virtual education.