1. Measuring North Carolina pharmacists' support for expanded authority to administer human papillomavirus vaccines.
- Author
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Richman AR, Swanson RS, Branham AR, and Partridge BN
- Subjects
- Adult, Age Factors, Data Collection, Female, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Multivariate Analysis, North Carolina, Papillomaviridae immunology, Papillomavirus Infections prevention & control, Pharmacists statistics & numerical data, Professional Role, Attitude of Health Personnel, Papillomavirus Vaccines administration & dosage, Pharmaceutical Services organization & administration, Pharmacists organization & administration
- Abstract
Purpose: To assess North Carolina pharmacists' level of support for expanded authority to administer human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to identify concerns/benefits about expanded authority and to understand what factors predict support for expanded authority., Method: A 16-item electronic survey was e-mailed to all the pharmacists registered with the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy (n = 9502) between January and February 2011 (1600 pharmacists responded). The survey assessed HPV knowledge, level of support for expanded authority, and comfort level of HPV vaccine administration., Results: Many (64%) pharmacists were supportive of a rule change/legislation that would authorize pharmacists to administer HPV vaccines. Younger pharmacists were more supportive of expansion when compared to older pharmacists (r = -.138, P < .001). Pharmacists with higher knowledge scores were more supportive of expansion (r = .223, P < .001). Reporting a higher level of comfort in administering HPV vaccines at their pharmacy was significantly and positively correlated with higher level of support for expansion (r = .624, P < .001). In the multivariate analysis, HPV knowledge, comfort level in administering vaccine, patient age, and type of pharmacy were all predictive of higher level of support for expanded authority where employed., Conclusion: A large proportion of pharmacists were supportive of an expanded role in providing HPV vaccines. Exploring alternate delivery mechanisms like this one is advantageous.
- Published
- 2013
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