The Research Project
This intervention-based study is investigating veterinary staff’s understanding and perception of infection risk and infection prevention and control (IPC). The aim is to assess whether using an educational simulation tool, VIPVis, which replicates the veterinary environment and the interactions between pathogens, humans and animals, with the surrounding environment, has any impact on veterinary staff's understanding of infection risk and has any change on the infection prevention control behaviours that are implemented. Additionally we aim to measure whether a change in IPC attitude leads to decreased infection rates of key veterinary pathogens around the veterinary practice, ultimately reducing the need and reliance on antibiotics.
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Scroll down to see what is involved and find out more!
Project Question:
Does a change in attitude reduce infection in the veterinary setting, ultimately minimising reliance on antimicrobials?
This study will last for approximately 15 months and will revolve around an intervention to test the valuableness of a training simulation tool, VIPVis, among veterinary staff, taking place within the veterinary practice you currently work at.
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PRE-INTERVENTION
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Takes place over 6 months.
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Environmental samples will be taken by Becky, using swabs on surfaces around the veterinary practice.
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Becky will be visiting the veterinary practice several times to take these swabs.
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Questionnaire 1 of 3 sent to staff, which staff will have a two-week period to respond to.
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THE INTERVENTION
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Practices will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group, or a control group.
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Participants assigned to the control group will not have access to the VIPVis tool and will only need to do their usual day-to-day roles and routines.
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The intervention group will be given the VIPVis tool to trial in their own time, over a three week period; the tool is self-paced, meaning staff can guide training to a speed suitable for each individual.
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Participants in the intervention group will be expected to use the VIPVis tool at least once, navigating through the app, provided on a tablet to the veterinary practice.
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At the end of the three-weeks, staff from both the control group and intervention group will be sent questionnaire 2 of 3, which staff will have a two-week period to respond to.
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Optional interviews will be conducted with a sub-group of participants who used the VIPVis tool, to gather more feedback surrounding the VIPVis tool.
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POST-INTERVENTION
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Takes place over 6 months.
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Becky will be gathering environmental samples via swab to see if the infection rate in practice has altered from prior to the intervention.
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After the 6 month period, questionnaire 3 of 3 will be given to staff, which staff will have a two-week period to respond to.
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Alongside this, we are aiming to measure if the reliance on antibiotics decreases after using VIPVis and are asking practices if they will share their prescription data (antibiotics bought versus used) with us so we can measure prescription rate before and after the intervention.
What will the intervention involve?
Aims & Objectives
Understanding & commitment to IPC
Evaluate the influence of VIPVis on the behaviour and attitude of veterinary staff towards infection risks and infection control measures
Reduce infection within veterinary practice
Determine the effectiveness of VIPVis at reducing the level of infection within veterinary practice and the impact on reliance on antimicrobials
