COVID-19: Development and implementation of a video-conference-based educational concept to improve the hygiene skills of health and nursing professionals in the Republic of Kosovo

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic caught the health care systems of all countries unprepared. For the further education of healthcare personnel in the Republic of Kosovo, it became necessary to implement a concept for practical training in hygienic working. A video-conference–based educational concept to bridge the physical distance between Germany and Kosovo enabled the rapid, theoretical and practical transfer of knowledge. Methods: Current evidence on COVID-19 and Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) were researched. Healthcare staff in Pristina were advised and trained in ten online sessions on hygienic working under pandemic conditions via the “Logitech Rally for DFNconf” video conferencing system. The seminars were interpreted consecutively (Albanian). The Situational Judgement Test (HygiKo-SJT) should describe changes in participants’ hygiene knowledge. Results: A total of 25 people were trained in hygiene-related knowledge in terms of basic and specific hygiene for COVID-19. The weekly training sessions made it possible to address questions and subsequently provide practical knowledge. The HygiKo-SJT did not show a generalizable, measurable improvement in hygiene competence. Conclusion: Participants benefited from the concept and rapid implementation of a live video-conference–based seminar on “Hygiene under Pandemic Conditions”. The positive experience in terms of guidance, advice and training provides the basis for implementing a dedicated “Hygiene” module in Kosovo