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Infectious Disease · Journal article
International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances · May 27, 2026
Early or partial results. Treat as a signal, not a conclusion.
This modified Delphi study established expert consensus on 62 of 74 proposed competencies for specialist nurses in infectious disease care in Sweden, spanning theoretical knowledge, clinical judgment, infection control, collaboration, and leadership. The framework provides a foundation for curriculum development and professional standards, though competencies related to transcultural care, sustainable development, and ethical aspects did not achieve consensus.
Journal article. Specialist nurses in infectious disease care in Sweden; experts were academic and clinical specialists across southern and central Sweden.
Consensus was reached on 62 of 74 proposed competencies using ≥75% agreement threshold Thirty-one experts in infectious disease nursing participated across three Delphi rounds Key competencies included advanced knowledge in microbiology, immunology, infection prevention, psychosocial health, person-centered care, and leadership during extraordinary events
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This consensus framework can inform curriculum development, professional credentialing, and role definition for specialist infectious disease nurses, potentially improving standardization of training and practice. The identified competencies address critical needs in infection prevention, antimicrobial resistance management, and crisis preparedness, though implementation and validation studies are needed.
Expert consensus study identifying 62 competencies for specialist infectious disease nurses using modified Delphi methodology with 31 experts, providing foundational framework but requiring implementation validation.
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This consensus framework can inform curriculum development, professional credentialing, and role definition for specialist infectious disease nurses, potentially improving standardization of training and practice. The identified competencies address critical needs in infection prevention, antimicrobial resistance management, and crisis preparedness, though implementation and validation studies are needed.
Graded across the dimensions that decide whether you should act, each from what the source actually supports. There is no single score, and where a dimension was not assessed it says so.
Background. Infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance are increasing challenges for healthcare systems. Specialist nurses in infectious disease care are vital for prevention and management, however, formal evidence-based knowledge about the essential competencies required for this work is lacking.Objectives. To establish expert consensus on essential competencies for specialist nurses in infectious disease care in Sweden using a modified Delphi technique.Design. a three-round modified Delphi technique was utilized. Consensus was defined as ≥75% agreement.Participants. Thirty-one experts in infectious disease nursing (academic and clinical specialists) participated in three Delphi rounds.Setting. Infectious disease care settings across southern and central Sweden.Methods. A structured questionnaire comprising competency statements derived from an evidence-informed curriculum and the International Council of Nurses framework was distributed over three iterative rounds. Experts rated competencies using a 5-point Likert scale. Consensus was predefined as ≥75% agreement (ratings 4-5). Items not reaching consensus were revised and re-evaluated in subsequent rounds. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze responses.Results. Consensus was reached on 62 of 74 proposed competencies, spanning theoretical knowledge, clinical judgment, infectious disease care provision, collaboration, change management, evidence-based practice, mentoring, education, and infection control. Key competencies included advanced knowledge in microbiology, immunology, infection prevention, psychosocial health, person-centered care, and leadership during extraordinary events. Interdisciplinary collaboration and crisis management were emphasized. Competencies related to transcultural care, sustainable development, and ethical aspects did not reach consensus, highlighting areas for future research.Conclusion. The identified competencies provide a foundation for a formal framework for specialist nurses in infectious disease care, informing curricula, professional development, and integration into healthcare systems to enhance patient safety and care quality. Future research should address transcultural, leadership, and ethical dimensions within specialist nurses in infectious disease care practice.Registration. Not registered.Social media abstract. Consensus defines 62 core competencies guiding specialist infectious disease nursing practice and education.Reporting method. This study is reported in accordance with the DELPHISTAR reporting guidelines.Patient or public contribution. No Patient or Public Contribution.
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