Doctors 'better motivated' by patient orientated hand hygiene signs
Friday 2nd September 2011
Hospital doctors and nurses may benefit from being targeted with signs emphasising the benefits of hand-washing in relation to patient health rather than their own, according to a new study.
People working in hospitals are more motivated by a desire to promote and protect the wellbeing of others, according to University of Pennsylvania psychologist Adam Grant.
In a study set to be published in the upcoming issue of Psychological Science, scientists found that healthcare professionals were ten times more likely to wash their hands when confronted by a sign stating "hand hygiene prevents patients from catching diseases", compared to a sign stating "hand hygiene prevents you from catching diseases".
Commenting on the results of the study, Mr Grant explained: "Our findings challenge prevailing wisdom in the healthcare professions that the best way to get people to wash their hands is to scare them about their own health.
"Instead, his research demonstrates, you should remind them that hand-washing helps others."
Over the past few years, the NHS has focused heavily on hospital hygiene, following a number of outbreaks of MRSA and other superbugs which have threatened the lives of patients.
Posted by Martin Lambert
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