COVID-19 has shown us how quickly infection can spread and
the importance of keeping ourselves and loved ones safe. McMaster University
Continuing Education has developed and launched a free online, self-paced
course, Infection Prevention and Control of Caregivers and Families.
Recognized by healthcare professionals and associations
across Canada, the course will help participants learn best practice techniques
in infection control to use at home and in health settings such as hospitals
and long-term care homes, while there is acknowledgement that every
institutional setting has its own practices. Although
infectious disease control training materials are available to healthcare
professionals, there is a gap in high-quality online courses for caregivers and
families. McMaster Continuing Education’s goal is to close that gap.
Dr. Lorraine Carter, Director, McMaster Continuing Education
believes in the importance of community education through online learning
approaches, saying, “Infection prevention and control is something we can teach
virtually, and the need is there.” Carter continued, “Providing lifelong
learning is our mission and we will continue to develop and offer educational supports
for our community, especially during this challenging time.”
The course will be facilitated by McMaster Continuing
Education’s Caregiving Essentials subject matter expert and instructor, Donna
Thomson, who can speak from personal experience as a family caregiver. Thomson
found herself in the caregiver role when her son was born with severe cerebral palsy,
and later her mother entered a long-term care home. She sees the need for this
program, especially during a time when many suddenly find themselves in
caregiving roles and are unsure of the complexities of keeping themselves and
their care recipients safe, saying, “As someone who has been a caregiver for over
30 years, I too found myself navigating the COVID-19 pandemic alone. Without
these types of offerings, family caregivers are left in the dark during some of
the most difficult times in their lives.”
The course explores topics including infection and germs, hand
hygiene and handwashing, PPE best practices, environmental cleaning and
navigating infection realities during the pandemic. Upon successful completion
of the course, participants will receive a co-branded McMaster Continuing
Education and Desire2Learn Open Courses Certificate of Completion to recognize their
achievement. McMaster Continuing Education wishes to thank The Ontario Caregiver Organization and Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement for their support of the Infection Prevention and Control for
Caregivers and Families course.
McMaster University Continuing Education has inspired people
to discover and achieve through lifelong learning since 1931. As one of
Canada’s largest and leading providers of continuing education for adult
learners, McMaster Continuing Education’s purpose is to develop and realize the
potential of both individuals and society by providing the education to thrive
in today’s dynamic world.
For more information, please visit: mcmastercce.ca/infection-prevention-and-control.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Lorraine Carter
Director, McMaster University Continuing Education
cartel1@mcmaster.ca
(289) 244-1632
