1. Health Care Professionals’ Interest in Vaccination Training in Switzerland: A Quantitative Survey
- Author
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Pia Lucas Ramanathan, Nadja Baldesberger, Léna G. Dietrich, Camilla Speranza, Alyssa Lüthy, Andrea Buhl, Martina Gisin, Roswitha Koch, Dunja Nicca, L. Suzanne Suggs, Benedikt M. Huber, Michael J. Deml, and Philip E. Tarr
- Subjects
vaccine hesitancy ,communication ,healthcare professional ,vaccine knowledge ,medical training ,Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 - Abstract
Objectives: Health care professionals (HCPs) play an important role for patients’ vaccination decisions. To counsel patients/clients appropriately, HCPs need current factual knowledge about vaccines and strong communication skills.Methods: We conducted an online survey with physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and midwives in Switzerland (01.11.2020–31.03.2021). We evaluated: 1) interest in vaccination knowledge and counseling training; 2) vaccination recommendation practices; 3) experience with vaccination counseling/administration; 4) comfort level in addressing vaccine hesitancy (VH); 5) perspectives on patient/client VH, delays, and refusals.Results: In total, 1,933 practicing HCPs responded (496 physicians, 226 pharmacists, 607 nurses, 604 midwives). 43% physicians, 31% pharmacists, 15% nurses, and 23% midwives felt comfortable counseling VH patients/clients. 96% physicians, 98% pharmacists, 85% nurses, and 91% midwives were interested in additional vaccination-related training. All professionals mentioned safety, efficacy, and side effects as topics of most interest for additional training.Conclusion: Results demonstrate a high interest among HCPs for additional vaccination-related training. In addition to factual information about vaccination, such training will likely benefit from a communication component, given the low rates of comfort reported by HCPs when counseling VH patients/clients.
- Published
- 2022
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