Look at them so they wash their hands properly...

By "them", I mean physiciens in hospitals. According to a study from the infection prevention department at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, California, 'when healthcare providers know they are being watched, they are twice as likely to comply with hand hygiene guidelines.'

This phenomenon is called the Hawthorne effect. It is the modification of behaviour upon observation of the subject. It is known as 'the observer effect' in physics. 

It is concerning, don't you think? This type of studies will always be biaised in that case. 

A comparable study was performed in France at Marseille's hospital. There, less than 1 out of 5 healthcare providers did not wash their hands before entering in contact with patients.

This is not know new information but it is reminder for all of us who deal with medical professionals.

Have a great day :)

Sources:

• Henry A. Landsberger, Hawthorne Revisited, Ithaca, 1958.
• Association for Professionals in Infection Control. (2016, June 10). The Hawthorne Effect hinders accurate hand hygiene observation, study says. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 12, 2016 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160610094406.htm
• http://sante.lefigaro.fr/actualite/2015/03/04/23469-lhopital-soignants-negligent-regles-dhygiene