OBJECTIVES: To assess immunization practices and attitudes of U.S. primary care physicians regarding adult influenza and pneumococcal immunizations. METHODS: Mailed survey of primary care internists and family physicians across the United States; four follow-up contacts by mail and telephone. Bivariate and multivariate analyses assessed immunization practices and attitudes and differences by physician characteristics. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixteen of 668 eligible physicians responded (50 refused, response rate of 266 = 40%); 220 provided adult vaccinations. More than 64% indicated they routinely vaccinated patients >/=65 years and those <65 years with chronic disease indications with both influenza and pneumococcal vaccine. Reported barriers for influenza vaccination included vaccine safety concerns by patients (58%), urgent concerns dominating visits (43%), and inadequate reimbursement (26%). Reported barriers for pneumococcal vaccination included urgent concerns during office visits (44%), no patient immunization history (36%), patient concerns about vaccine safety (31%), and inadequate reimbursement (25%). Many physicians indicated willingness to try tracking systems (72%), chart reminders (55%), patient reminders (53%), standing orders (36%), external lists of unimmunized patients for pneumococcal vaccination (74%), external patient reminders (70%), and office training of physicians (36%) or staff (46%). CONCLUSIONS: While most physicians favored adult vaccinations, practical barriers to vaccination exist. Most physicians would adopt evidence-based strategies to improve immunization delivery.
OBJECTIVES: To assess immunization practices and attitudes of U.S. primary care physicians regarding adult influenza and pneumococcal immunizations. METHODS: Mailed survey of primary care internists and family physicians across the United States; four follow-up contacts by mail and telephone. Bivariate and multivariate analyses assessed immunization practices and attitudes and differences by physician characteristics. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixteen of 668 eligible physicians responded (50 refused, response rate of 266 = 40%); 220 provided adult vaccinations. More than 64% indicated they routinely vaccinated patients >/=65 years and those <65 years with chronic disease indications with both influenza and pneumococcal vaccine. Reported barriers for influenza vaccination included vaccine safety concerns by patients (58%), urgent concerns dominating visits (43%), and inadequate reimbursement (26%). Reported barriers for pneumococcal vaccination included urgent concerns during office visits (44%), no patient immunization history (36%), patient concerns about vaccine safety (31%), and inadequate reimbursement (25%). Many physicians indicated willingness to try tracking systems (72%), chart reminders (55%), patient reminders (53%), standing orders (36%), external lists of unimmunized patients for pneumococcal vaccination (74%), external patient reminders (70%), and office training of physicians (36%) or staff (46%). CONCLUSIONS: While most physicians favored adult vaccinations, practical barriers to vaccination exist. Most physicians would adopt evidence-based strategies to improve immunization delivery.
Authors: Nicholas A Daniels; Susan Gouveia; Daniel Null; Ginny L Gildengorin; Carla A Winston Journal: J Natl Med Assoc Date: 2006-07 Impact factor: 1.798
Authors: Sharon G Humiston; Nancy M Bennett; Christine Long; Shirley Eberly; Lourdes Arvelo; Joseph Stankaitis; Peter G Szilagyi Journal: Public Health Rep Date: 2011 Jul-Aug Impact factor: 2.792
Authors: Kelly K Anderson; Rolf J Sebaldt; Lynne Lohfeld; Ron Goeree; Faith C Donald; Ken Burgess; Janusz Kaczorowski Journal: J Prim Prev Date: 2008-01-19
Authors: Laura P Hurley; Carolyn B Bridges; Rafael Harpaz; Mandy A Allison; Sean T O'Leary; Lori A Crane; Michaela Brtnikova; Shannon Stokley; Brenda L Beaty; Andrea Jimenez-Zambrano; Faruque Ahmed; Craig Hales; Allison Kempe Journal: Ann Intern Med Date: 2014-02-04 Impact factor: 25.391