Contagious Conversations: Global Infection Prevention Leaders Say the Future of IPC Depends on Diverse Career Pathways

Infection prevention and control (IPC) has long been recognized as a multidisciplinary field, yet the pathways into the profession vary dramatically across the globe. In the latest installment of Contagious Conversations, hosts Heather Stoltzfus, MPH, RN, CIC, and Brenna Doran, PhD, MA, ACC, CIC, AL-CIP, brought together 2 international infection prevention leaders to discuss how their countries educate, recruit, and support IPC professionals and what the future workforce may look like.

Joining the discussion were Sinead Creedon, PhD, RGN, LLB, PCICP, MAAPP, director of the postgraduate certificate in infection prevention and control at University College Cork in Ireland, and Mohammed Halwani, PhD, professor, consultant, and infection control pioneer in Saudi Arabia. Together, they offered a fascinating look at how different health care systems approach the same mission: preventing infections and protecting patients.

Both guests described unique journeys into infection prevention. Creedon began her career in infectious diseases and tropical medicine in London before returning to Ireland and transitioning into infection prevention. Halwani first became interested in IPC while pursuing graduate studies in medical microbiology in the United Kingdom, then completed additional training at Johns Hopkins Hospital and helped establish infection control programs throughout Saudi Arabia.

Despite differences in geography and health care systems, both agreed that infection prevention has become increasingly complex, data-driven, and interdisciplinary.

Traditionally, infection prevention roles in Ireland have been dominated by nurses. However, Creedon explained that modern IPC teams increasingly include microbiologists, pharmacists, surveillance scientists, and public health professionals. She noted that newer educational programs are also attracting professionals from diverse backgrounds, including veterinarians, physiotherapists, laboratory scientists, dental professionals, and public health specialists.

"We've had a vet on our course because of the introduction of One Health," Creedon said. "We've had lab scientists, surveillance people, physiotherapists, [and] dental staff. It's really broad, and it's really nice to get all of those different people involved because each person brings a different flavor to the table."

Halwani described a similar evolution in Saudi Arabia. While nurses continue to comprise many infection preventionists, professionals from microbiology, laboratory sciences, medicine, and public health are increasingly entering the field. He emphasized that public health professionals often contribute valuable expertise in epidemiology, statistics, and surveillance while receiving additional clinical training after joining IPC departments.

The conversation quickly turned to a debate that has gained attention in the United States: Should infection prevention be reserved primarily for nurses, or should the profession actively recruit individuals from diverse disciplines?

Both guests argued strongly for broader inclusion.

Creedon believes the future of IPC depends on expanding opportunities for professionals with expertise in epidemiology, surveillance, behavioral science, quality improvement, and systems thinking.

"IPC has become so scientific and data-driven," she said. "If we don't engage with that and if we're not able to do that, then we're just going to be left behind."

She also highlighted the growing importance of behavioral science and patient safety competencies.

"We've always had a role with quality patient safety. IPC and quality patient safety go hand in hand," Creedon said.

Halwani offered an even more ambitious vision. Looking toward the future, he hopes universities will eventually establish dedicated bachelor's degrees in infection prevention and control.

"I would love to see a bachelor’s degree in infection control," Halwani said. "You can teach some clinical nursing parts, microbiology parts, and then the public health and epidemiology part. If we did a 4- or 5-year program, that would be perfect."

Such programs, he argued, would create professionals specifically trained for infection prevention from the start of their careers rather than requiring them to enter through nursing, microbiology, or public health pathways first.

“That's an opportunity for us,” Doran said. “Many people who want to get into infection prevention, if they're not clinical or don't already work in a hospital, are dependent on someone taking a chance on them. Much of that training, that cross-training, happens internally within that department, and not all hospitals or departments have the bandwidth to provide the level of education and cross-training necessary. So, it sounds again like you're able to leverage this external, internal infection prevention training that allows people to get up to speed without really taxing the department.”

Another striking difference discussed during the conversation involved professional certification. While certification is highly valued in the United States, both guests noted that advanced academic degrees often carry greater weight within their healthcare systems.

In Saudi Arabia, Halwani explained that certifications such as CIC are respected and common among infection preventionists, but master's degrees and doctoral education tend to be more influential when it comes to hiring and career advancement. Similarly, Ireland places significant emphasis on postgraduate qualifications, although new guidance from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control may eventually lead to broader certification frameworks across Europe.

The panel also explored how the COVID-19 pandemic altered perceptions of infection prevention. Halwani described how the profession gained visibility and influence during the pandemic, leading more healthcare workers to pursue careers in IPC.

"We actually had a stronger role in the hospitals, and people do respect infection control," he said. "After COVID, a lot of people wanted to do infection control."

Throughout the discussion, a common theme emerged: there is no single path into infection prevention.

Whether professionals arrive from nursing, microbiology, medicine, public health, epidemiology, pharmacy, or another discipline entirely, the field benefits from diverse perspectives. As healthcare becomes increasingly complex and data-driven, future infection prevention programs may need to embrace broader educational models and multidisciplinary teams to meet emerging challenges.

As Stoltzfus noted during the conversation, the future of infection prevention will be shaped by professionals willing to learn from one another and build on their collective strengths. The more the global IPC community shares ideas, experiences, and approaches, the stronger the profession becomes. If this conversation demonstrated anything, it is that while infection prevention may look different from country to country, the commitment to patient safety remains universal.

This conversation is part of the ongoing Contagious Conversations series exploring the future of infection prevention and control through diverse global perspectives.