[Prevention, why resist it?]

Prevention, why resist it? Based on a 1988 speech the author gave to infection control professionals in Montréal, this article draws a parallel between individuals' resistance to change and their reaction to infection control programs. Gladly, many of the same well-honed techniques that help change along can be applied to infection control efforts, he says. Analyzing the implementation of an infection control program for AIDS in a health center, the author emphasizes do's and don'ts and explores appropriate and inappropriate approaches to leadership, conflict prevention and problem solving. To sell your program, he says, you must also sell yourself; you must be convincing and credible.