REGIONAL INFECTION CONTROL NETWORKS - Evaluation of Certification in Infection Control Study Supports

REGIONAL INFECTION CONTROL NETWORKS
Evaluation of Certification in Infection Control Study Supports

The Regional Infection Control Networks (RICNs) offer educational supports (study groups, mentoring and provision of resources) for individuals preparing to write the CIC certification exam from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology.

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the study methods provided to date and identify areas of improvement we are asking you to complete this short on-line questionnaire. Your responses will go directly to the educational consultant assisting the project team with the project. Please reply by Wednesday, April 7, 2010.

1.	Please provide the following background information about your current role in the infection control and prevention (IPAC) field: *Check all that apply*

	Position:	Setting:
	Administration Front-line practice (RN, MLT, PHI, PHN) Infection control professional Physician Occupational health and safety Other => Please state below:	Acute care Community care Long-term care Public health Other => Please state below:

2.	Does your IPAC work include any of the following activities? *Check all that apply*

Collection and analysis of infection prevention data
Investigation and surveillance of suspected outbreaks of infection
Planning, implementation and evaluation of IPAC measures
Education of individuals about infection risk, prevention and control
Development and revision of infection control policies and procedures
Management of IPAC activities
Consultation on infection risk assessment, prevention and control strategies
None of the above

3.	How long have you been working as an infection control professional?

Less than two years
Between three and nine years
Ten or more years effective
Not currently working as an infection control professional

4.	Are you required to have CIC certification from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology as part of your job?

Yes No

5.	Which of the following best describes your present certification status? Check only one

Now hold valid CIC certification and not currently preparing for recertification
Hold CIC certification and preparing for recertification
Currently preparing for CIC certification
Planning to work on CIC certification/recertification in the next two years
No immediate plans to obtain CIC certification => Why is that? Please state below

6.	In the past have you written the CIC exam?

Yes
No Were You Succesful?
Yes
No

7.	Have you in the past, are you now, or do you plan on using a RICN study group or other RICN supports to help obtain CIC certification or recertification?

Yes

No =>

Why is that?

GO TO QUESTION 14

8.	Thinking in terms of your own circumstances and educational preferences, rate the suitability of each of the following RICN supported study methods:

	Very Suitable	Somewhat Suitable	Not Too Suitable	Not At All Suitable
Study groups
Videoconferences
Teleconferences
Webinars
One on one mentoring
Library (lending out resources)
Being available to answer questions
Toolkits/modules
Videos/CDs
Material on the self-learning area of the RICN website

9.	How helpful were the RICN study supports to you in preparing for the certification exam?

Very helpful
Somewhat helpful
Not too helpful
Not at all helpful

Have not used any RICN supports => GO TO QUESTION 14

10.

Have you attended a RICN study group?

Yes No => GO TO QUESTION 14

11.

How helpful were the following methods used in the study group?

	Very Helpful	Somewhat Helpful	Not Too Helpful	Not At All Helpful
CIC study guide question review
Power point presentations
Review of the APIC text
Guest speakers
Sharing experiences
Field trips
Use of articulate modules
Group member presentations
Handouts
Case studies

12.

What did you like most and like least about your experience with the RICN study group?

Like Most

Like Least

13.

If you could suggest one single thing that would have made your experience with the study group better, what would it be?

ALL RESPONDENTS ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS

14.

What other study methods have you used?

Check all that apply

APIC Certification Study Guide
Read the APIC Text of Infection Control and Epidemiology
Videos/CDs
CBIC practice exam
Attended a CHICA conference CIC information session
Took an APIC prep course
Other => Please state below:

15.

Have you taken a course endorsed by CHICA Canada?

Yes =>
No

Which one?
Infection Control (Centennial College)
Queens University Basic Infection Control
University of Calgary Basic Infection Control
Ontario RICNs Non-acute Care ICP Training Course

16.

What types of support from your employer are available to you?

Check all that apply

Allowing work time to study
Allowing work time to participate in study groups
Paying for CHICA approved courses
Paying the fee for the certification exam
Access to necessary reference materials
Access to peers with CIC to assist with CIC preparation
My employer provides no support
Other => Please state below:

17.

A number of potential obstacles to obtaining certification appear below. Indicate if any of these have been a problem for you:

	A Major Problem	Sometimes A Problem	Not A Problem
Finding the time to prepare
Having the motivation
Lack of confidence/fear of failure
Cost
Getting support from my employer
Exam locations

18.

Have you encountered any other obstacles to certification?

19.

Please offer any other comments or suggestions about obtaining CIC certification and the study supports provided by the RICNs.

Thank you for your cooperation.