The behavioural science work package in SAFER is investigating healthcare workers’ experiences of working during the COVID-19 pandemic, their perceptions of risk, and the extent to which healthcare workers engage in protective behaviours. The behaviours include COVID vaccine uptake, use of PPE, physical distancing, and hand hygiene in the workplace. We are specifically interested in identifying the individual, socio-cultural and environmental influences on these behaviours. To achieve these aims, we are asking all healthcare workers at UCLH who are currently taking part in the SAFER/SAFER-PLUS study to complete a longitudinal, online questionnaire. More in-depth qualitative interviews will be conducted with 30 healthcare workers of different professional roles working across different hospital departments.
The interview and survey questions and analysis will be guided by theoretical models of behaviour change (e.g. Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behaviour, COM-B Model; Michie et al. 2011). Findings from this study will provide a theory- and evidence-base for designing interventions to increase enactment of protective behaviours. This in turn will help reduce transmission of COVID-19, improve infection prevention control and pandemic preparedness for future outbreaks.
Behavioural Sciences Team
