TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL MEDICINE - Georgian Medical Journal

Background:

Healthcare-associated infections remain a major patient safety concern, and infection prevention and control (IPC) is a key component of safe care. Although undergraduate training aims to prepare students for IPC practice, gaps between knowledge and real-world implementation are frequently reported. This study explores how early-career doctors in Georgia perceive IPC preparedness and its application in clinical settings, within a broader mixed-methods KAP study.

Methods:
A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with early-career doctors (n=32)Additional interviews with dental clinic managers and  students were used for contextual triangulation. Data was collected in Georgian, transcribed, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis following an iterative coding process. Reporting followed established qualitative research standards.

Results:
Five interrelated themes were identified: discontinuity between theoretical training and clinical practice; limited practical IPC skill development; resource and workflow constraints; influence of informal practices and hierarchy; and behavioural adaptation over time. Participants described variability across clinical environments, where IPC adherence depended on resources, supervision, and local norms. While training provided a conceptual foundation, practical competence was largely shaped by workplace experience.

Conclusion:
IPC practices among early-career doctors in Georgia are influenced by the interaction between education, clinical environment, and organizational norms. Addressing gaps between training and practice may require earlier and repeated practical training, structured supervision, and clinical conditions that support consistent implementation of standard precautions. These findings may help contextualize quantitative KAP results and inform educational and system-level improvements.

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