A qualitative study of the views of healthcare professionals on providing vaccines information to patients

Abstract

Background Healthcare professionals (HCPs) such as pharmacists, general practitioners and practice nurses are a trusted source of vaccines information for patients in primary care. Global regulators have highlighted the key role of HCPs in fostering confidence in COVID-19 vaccines. Objective This study aims to gain insight into the views and experiences of HCPs on providing vaccines information to patients. Setting Primary care general practice surgeries and community pharmacies in Ireland. Methods Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 HCPs (five General practitioners [GPs], four practice nurses and five community pharmacists) identified through purposive and convenience sampling. The interviews were analysed by inductive thematic analysis. Main outcome measure Participants’ views and experiences of providing vaccines information to patients. Results Five key themes were identified: roles and responsibilities, perception of risk, perception of the public, building a relationship, and emotion. HCPs were motivated by duty and care for their patients. They respected patient autonomy and were driven by their concern for public health. HCPs were influenced by their perception of risk and their perceptions of the public. HCPs practiced patient-centred care by providing tailored vaccines information. They favoured an approach of providing patients with information and support to make their own decision. The topic was emotive; HCPs empathised with patients but were also frustrated by their perceived inability to change some patients’ views. Conclusion The provision of vaccines information by HCPs to patients is multifactorial with participants mindful of patient autonomy and the HCP role to support vaccinations as a public health priority. Participants suggested that education and support on vaccines communication would enable them to support the vaccines uptake in their practice.

The empathetic refutational interview to tackle vaccine misconceptions: Four randomized experiments.

“…We conducted four experiments to test participants’ responses to the steps of our proposed new technique, the ERI (Figure 1). The ERI aims to provide a tailored approach that would help HCPs refute antivaccination arguments while maintaining trustful relationships with patients, which is highly valued by HCPs (Loftus et al, 2021). Our experiments simulated the ERI with a large number of participants with varying levels of vaccine hesitancy, in generic and specific (COVID-19) vaccine contexts, to provide early stage evidence of the suitability of this approach for a conversational purpose.…”

“…Discussing concerns with a trusted medical advisor offers such a highly tailored approach. However, HCPs need skills and support to effectively refute vaccine misconceptions held by patients without damaging their trusted relationship with patients (Loftus et al, 2021). If an individual perceives that their HCP's attempt to correct their misinformed belief is an attack on their worldview, the attempt may even backfire, resulting in more support for the misinformed belief (Nyhan et al, 2014).…”

US veterinarians' perceptions of discussing COVID-19 vaccination with animal owners during routine visits

“…Similar to their physician counterparts [ 34 ], veterinarians observed that opinions related to the COVID-19 vaccine were increasingly polarized and it was common to see community members experience and express strong emotions. As demonstrated within other studies, participants felt it was important to maintain the clinical rapport rather than engage in conflict with vaccine hesitant clients [ 34 , 35 ]. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and as new infectious diseases emerge, the subject of vaccines will remain emotionally and politically charged.…”

Healthcare professionals’ perceptions of challenges in vaccine communication and training needs: A qualitative study

“…First, HCPs' own attitudes towards vaccines can impact whether they recommend vaccines to patients (Bianco et al, 2014;Garrison et al, 2023b;Yaqub et al, 2014;Yeung et al, 2016). Even if HCPs are themselves in favour of vaccination, their personal attitudes may con ict with their desire to enable patient autonomy (Holt et al, 2016;Loftus et al, 2021). HCPs may be themselves uncertain (Verger et al, 2022), especially when they need more up-to-date information to reassure themselves of the bene ts and costs of newer vaccines (Paterson et al, 2016).…”