Construction of a Two-Way and Progressive Occupational Protection Model for New Medical Staff: A Grounded Theory Study.

PURPOSE

This study was aimed at developing a systematic and standardized occupational protection theory to guide new medical staff in protection against occupational exposure.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Twenty-three new medical staff members of a comprehensive tertiary hospital in China were evaluated with semi-structured in-depth interviews. The participants were selected using the methods of convenience sampling, purposive sampling, and theoretical sampling Qualitative research was performed using the grounded theory method of Glaser and Strauss, and the data were coded openly, axially, and selectively. The study protocol and reporting were in accordance with the Standards for Qualitative Research (SRQR).

RESULTS

Fifteen codes were extracted from the interview data, which were classified into six subcategories, namely, processing and reflection after occupational exposure, comprehensive identification of occupational exposure risk factors, progressive response, normalization of occupational protection, active expression of protection needs, two-way protection, and 1 core category-two-way-progressive occupational protection. With the information collected, a theoretical model of "two-way progressive occupational protection" was finally constructed.

CONCLUSION

The "two-way-progressive occupational protection" theory developed on the basis of the experiences of new medical staff can play a positive role in guiding new medical staff regarding occupational exposure, identifying relevant risk factors, and taking appropriate protective measures. It can also provide guidance for developing appropriate training modules for occupational protection.