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Impact of Hand Rub Placement on Patient Trust and Disease Stigma

NCT07552792 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 250

Last updated 2026-04-27

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This study aims to investigate how the physical placement of hand sanitizer in consultation rooms affects patient trust and feelings of disease stigma. While hand hygiene is an essential infection control measure in healthcare, performing it immediately in front of patients with visible, non-communicable conditions (such as psoriasis) might inadvertently make patients feel rejected or stigmatized.This study uses a randomized controlled design to evaluate if a simple environmental modification-changing the spatial location of the hand sanitizer-can naturally nudge physicians to alter their hand hygiene timing without compromising safety. Researchers will discreetly observe the hand hygiene behavior of outpatient dermatologists and ask participating psoriasis patients to complete a brief, anonymous questionnaire regarding their trust in the physician, feelings of stigma, and overall satisfaction with the consultation. The goal is to provide evidence for patient-centered hospital space designs that protect patient psychological well-being while maintaining hygiene standards.

Conditions

Interventions

OTHER

Distant placement of hand rub

The alcohol-based hand rub dispenser is relocated to a distant position in the consultation room, greater than 1 meter (approx. 3.3 feet) away from the physician (e.g., on a sink). This environmental modification is designed to prompt physicians to perform hand hygiene after the patient departs ("invisible hand hygiene"), aiming to improve patient trust and reduce perceived disease-related stigma.

OTHER

Conventional placement of hand rub

The alcohol-based hand rub dispenser is placed in the conventional, standard position in the consultation room, which is less than or equal to 0.3 meters (approx. 1 foot) away from the physician (e.g., to the left of the computer). This facilitates standard hand hygiene immediately after patient contact ("visible hand hygiene").

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Huashan Hospital

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2026-05-01
Primary Completion
2026-06-01
Completion
2026-06-30

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07552792 on ClinicalTrials.gov