We used qualitative research methods to obtain a variety of attitudes, views and opinions and sought to bring together healthcare professionals from similar settings, sharing similar experiences, but from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. From May to September 2010, we conducted six 60-90 minute focus group discussions in four European countries: two each in England and Hungary and one each in Greece and Germany. The research team, comprising of a group of international partners in the aforementioned countries [12] , employed a targeted recruitment strategy to include a group of expert staff of hospitals they either were affiliated to or were particularly relevant to the study, such as those with large infectious disease departments. Purposive sampling and snowballing techniques were used to recruit hospital-based HCWs from diverse professions, departments and responsibilities. As the aim of the research was to explore a specific topic in the context of a diverse range of views, we did not sample a representative group of the healthcare worker or hospital populations. The study intends to provide the ground work for highlighting which factors could be issues in a representative and or broader population. GE, GT, TE, ES and GP identified and emailed potential participants and distributed information sheets. In total 49 staff from 12 hospitals participated and all participants had experience of working in other hospitals. A description of participating hospitals and participants is provided in table 1. AA, GE and FN prepared a protocol, topic guide and information leaflets about the study which were translated by an external company. GE, GT, TE, ES and GP facilitated the sessions in their respective countries. All participants provided written consent, and were informed that they could cease to participate at any time. They were assured their participation would remain confidential and their answers analysed anonymously.