An investigation of the division between espoused and actual practice in infection control and of the knowledge sources that may underpin this division

摘要

Methods: The study employed a primarily quaiitative approach using participant observation and semi structured interviews over a six month period on a renal unit within a district general hospital.Results: Results gained provided some indication of a gap between espoused and actual compliance with infection control policy in practice while also indicating that tacit knowledge and learning in practice may offer an effective means of gaining and implementing infection control knowledge.Conclusions: This study highlights divisions between espoused and actual infection control practice, it also emphasises the role of tacit learning and how tacit knowledge may be gained and employed in practice.