Publication: Development of infectious disease emergency response training modules and its effectiveness on the competency index for Healthcare-associated infection prevention and control practitioners in guizhou province, China
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Date
2026-01
Authors
Maojie, Zhang
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Abstract
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a major challenge to global health systems. The competence of Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners (PCPs) is essential for effective HAI prevention. Competency assessment not only reflected practitioners’ capabilities but also informed the design of targeted training. However, no competency-based training module had been established for HAI-PCPs in Guizhou Province. This study aimed to develop and validate a competency-based infectious disease emergency response training module for HAI-PCPs and to evaluate its effectiveness in improving practitioner competence. The study was conducted in four phases. In Phase I, a competency index was developed and validated through literature review and Delphi consultation. In Phase II, the competence of HAI-PCPs was assessed, and key influencing factors and training needs were identified. In Phase III, training modules were designed and validated based on the identified gaps. In Phase IV, training effectiveness was evaluated through pre-, post-, and one-month follow-up assessments. Following two rounds of Delphi consultation with eight experts, a final competency index comprising 44 items across five dimensions was developed. A cross-sectional baseline assessment among 209 HAI-PCPs revealed that only 36.8% met the competency threshold. Univariate analysis showed that age, work experience, and income level significantly associated with competency scores (p<0.05), and multivariate analysis demonstrated acceptable predictive validity (AUC = 0.735). Based on the identified gaps and training needs, 13 targeted training modules were developed and implemented. After participating in the training program, 60 HAI-PCPs showed significant improvement in their competency scores (p<0.01), which remained elevated at one-month follow-up (p<0.01). Participants reported that the training content was practical, relevant, and well-aligned with their professional needs. The competency-based training module effectively improved the emergency response capabilities of HAI-PCPs in Guizhou Province. A validated competency evaluation questionnaire was developed to identify training needs and measure outcomes. The study underscored the value of competency frameworks in guiding training design and provided a practical reference for strengthening infection control in similar settings. Keywords: Competence, Healthcare-Associated Infection, Emergency Response, Training Modules, Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners