2025 Volume 40 Issue 2 Pages 53-57
This study aimed to examine the relationship between competency domain IV "management and communication (hereinafter referred to as 'leadership')" and "transformational leadership (TFL)" for infection prevention practitioners in Japan. An anonymous and self-administered web questionnaire survey was conducted in which 438 certified infection prevention practitioners who were registered with the Japan Nursing Association (a public-interest-incorporated association) and belonged to the Kanto branch of the Japan Infection Control Network (a general incorporated association) participated. The mean (SD) years of experience of the infection prevention practitioners was 14.5 (5.1) years, and 40 (72.2%) participants held managerial roles of head nurse or higher. The mean (SD) leadership and TFL scores were 3.71 (0.56) and 2.39 (0.47), respectively, with the highest mean (SD) being individual consideration (2.66 [0.56]); the total leadership and TFL scores were moderately correlated (r = 0.471, p < .001). As new and re-emerging infectious diseases develop, we believe that infection prevention practitioners should become competent at practicing TFL. This study is the first step toward examining the concurrent validity of leadership for infection prevention practitioners.
