Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Infection Prevention and Control Field: Findings From Focus Groups Conducted with Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology (APIC) Members in Fall 2021

• Authors: Terri Rebmann, Saint Louis University; Jill E Holdsworth, Emory University Hospital Midtown; Kaeli A Lugo, Saint Louis University; Rebecca T Alvino, UCSF Health San Francisco; Ashley Gomel, Saint Louis University
• Journal Title: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INFECTION CONTROL
• Publisher: Elsevier | 2023-03-05
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2023.02.013
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery
• Keywords: Burnout; Vaccine; Hopelessness

Abstract

Introduction Emergence of the Delta variant in 2021 changed the pandemic landscape and led to healthcare surges across the US, despite availability of COVID-19 vaccine. Anecdotal information indicated that the infection prevention and control (IPC) field was changing, but formal assessment was needed. Methods Focus groups (6) were conducted with APIC members in November and December, 2021 to elicit infection preventionists' (IP) opinions changes to the IPC field due to the pandemic. Focus groups were audio recorded via Zoom and transcribed. Content analysis was used to identify major themes. Results Ninety IPs participated. IPs described multiple changes to the IPC field during the pandemic, including being more involved in policy development, the challenge of transitioning back to routine IPC while still responding to COVID-19, increased need for IPs across practice settings, difficulties in recruiting and retaining IPs, presenteeism in healthcare, and extensive burnout. Participants suggested approaches to improve IPs' wellbeing. Conclusions The ongoing pandemic has brought significant changes to the IPC field, including a shortage of IPs just as the field is expanding rapidly. The continued overwhelming workload and stress due to the pandemic has resulted in burnout among IPs and the need for initiatives to improve their wellbeing.