Rural infection preventionists’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from focus groups conducted with association of professionals in infection control & epidemiology (APIC) members

Highlights

• Infection preventionists (IPs) in rural settings faced unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Rural IPs reported generalized disbelief and disregard about the pandemic among rural community members.

• Inaccurate or unsettling messages from social media about the pandemic caused distrust and fear.

• Rural IPs have reciprocity with their community, leading to a sense of obligation and support.

• Rural IPs have multiple facility roles, such as employee health, resulting in overwhelming workloads.

Abstract

Background

SARS CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, was identified and quickly developed into a pandemic in spring, 2020. This event posed immense difficulties for healthcare nationally, with rural areas experiencing different challenges than other regions.

Methods

The Association of Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology conducted focus groups with infection preventionist (IP) members in September and October, 2020. Zoom sessions were recorded and transcribed. Content analysis was used to identify themes.

Results

In all, 38 IPs who work at a critical access hospital or a healthcare facility in a rural location participated. Major challenges identified by IPs in this study included addressing the lack of access to personal protective equipment (PPE), overwhelming workloads caused by the pandemic and multiple roles/responsibilities, inaccurate social media messages, and generalized disbelief and disregard about the pandemic among rural community members.

Conclusions

Gaps in preparedness identified in this study, such as the lack of PPE, need to be addressed to prevent occupational illness. In addition, health disparities and inaccurate beliefs about COVID-19 heard by IPs in this study need to be addressed in order to increase compliance with public health safeguards among rural community members and minimize morbidity and mortality in these regions.