Geraldine Freriks
1ACIPC, Garfield, Australia
Biography:
Geraldine Freriks is the Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Unit Manager at West Gippsland Healthcare Group. A dedicated nurse since 1987, she has completed studies in Oncology, Haematology, Management, and Infection Prevention and Control. Passionate about infection prevention, she is committed to education, reducing antimicrobial resistance and improving patient outcomes.
Abstract:
The world health organisation recognises that education is one of the most valuable pillars of infection prevention and control (IPC), yet getting staff to attend education is a continual struggle. Innovative educational strategies can transform how healthcare professionals engage with IPC training. Traditional methods often fall short in encouraging staff to attend let alone, sustaining knowledge and behavioural change. In an environment that we are fighting with a time poor industry, education is an easy sacrifice. To break this mould, creative approaches such as gamification, just-in-time education, and escape rooms, to mention a few, should be increasingly integrated into IPC programs to make learning more interactive, contextual, and effective.
Gamification and escape rooms introduce elements of competition, rewards, and game-based scenarios to reinforce critical IPC practices, in a fun and motivating way. These strategies promote active participation and enhance engagement, leading to improved retention and application in clinical settings. Participants report increased confidence and understanding of IPC principles after engaging in these interactive experiences.
Just-in-time education delivers brief, focused training at the point of care or during rounding, providing timely information when it is most relevant. This method supports real-time learning, reinforces immediate behaviour change, and allows for tailored feedback based on observed practice.
By leveraging creativity and adult learning theory, these educational strategies foster deeper engagement, bridge knowledge gaps, and support a culture of safety and accountability in healthcare settings.