The Role of Managerial Attitude in Shaping Behavioural Change in Hand Hygiene Practices in a Healthcare Workplace Environment

Abstract

Background: Proper hand hygiene is the most effective way of preventing hospital infections and could lead to significant cost savings for the healthcare system. In practice, however, we see that achieving adequate hand hygiene is problematic worldwide, which is why it becomes the focus of research from time to time. According to the literature, managerial attitude, psychological safety, and employee motivation play a central role in behavioural change. The aim of this study is to examine hand hygiene practices from a managerial perspective, focusing on employee behavioural change and applying the COM-B model.

Method: Qualitative research based on case studies was conducted. This involved analysing semi-structured interviews with healthcare workers and their managers. The analysis was based on the three key components of the COM-B model: capability, opportunity, and motivation. During the content analysis, we explored the relationships between managerial roles, organisational culture, and individual commitment, and examined the organisational embeddedness of learning and feedback processes.

Results: Based on the interviews, it can be concluded that the organisation under study exhibits all three components of the COM-B model. In the ‘motivation’ dimension, strong loyalty and commitment to the manager can be observed acting as drivers of behavioural change. With regard to the ‘capability’ component, participants reported a high level of professional commitment, knowledge sharing and a self-organising learning culture. In the ‘opportunity’ dimension, conscious transformation of the workplace environment and the presence of collective norms and protocols can help reinforce desired patterns of behaviours.

Conclusions: The research highlighted that managerial presence and an organisational climate that promotes psychological safety are key factors in improving hand hygiene behaviour. Leading by example, providing regular knowledge updates and fostering a supportive learning environment can help to ensure that proper hand hygiene habits become embedded in the culture of healthcare organisations in the long term.