Journal article
An investigation of Infection Prevention and Control professionals' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: A global perspective
Infection, Disease & Health, Vol.31(2), pp.1-9
2026
Abstract
Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals played a vital role during COVID-19, yet their experiences remain largely unexplored. Understanding these experiences is crucial for strengthening health system preparedness for future outbreaks/ pandemic. This study investigates IPC professionals' preparedness, response capacity, knowledge base, and barriers/enablers during COVID-19 to inform future pandemic planning.
Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in 2024 among IPC professionals worldwide through WHO's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network partners and professional IPC organisations. The survey was translated into five languages, comprising 30 questions that covered demo-graphics, professional preparedness, response capacity, and pandemic experiences. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively using SPSS, while qualitative responses underwent thematic analysis.
Results: Eighty-six responses from 19 countries were analysed, with participants mainly from Australia (48.8 %), Canada (17.4 %), and the United Kingdom (8.1 %). Most worked in government hospitals (54.7 %) with dedicated IPC roles (57.0 %) and over five years of experience (73.2 %). Four interconnected themes emerged: establishing IPC as vital expertise, confronting the psychological toll of IPC work, navigating shifting guidance and policy, and managing resource scarcity and workforce strain. Participants reported a lack of recognition as " front-line " staff, significant psychological burdens including post-traumatic stress, challenges with rapidly changing guidance undermining staff trust, and overwhelming workloads without additional resources.
Conclusions: IPC professionals showed remarkable dedication despite facing structural neglect and emotional difficulties. Findings highlight the urgent need to formalise IPC leadership roles within health * Corresponding author. School of Health University of the Sunshine Coast Sippy Downs,
Details
- Title
- An investigation of Infection Prevention and Control professionals' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: A global perspective
- Authors
- Matt Mason (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - NursingJocelyne Basseal (Author) - The University of SydneyRoslyn Walker (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of HealthPeta-Anne Zimmerman (Author) - Griffith University
- Publication details
- Infection, Disease & Health, Vol.31(2), pp.1-9
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.idh.2025.10.004
- ISSN
- 2468-0869
- Copyright note
- © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Grants
- An investigation of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) professionals' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: A global perspective, 0980028515, Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control
- Organisation Unit
- Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; School of Health - Nursing; Student Services and Engagement
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991182445902621
- Output Type
- Journal article