International Journal of Public Health (Nov 2022)

Health Care Professionals’ Interest in Vaccination Training in Switzerland: A Quantitative Survey

  • Pia Lucas Ramanathan,
  • Pia Lucas Ramanathan,
  • Pia Lucas Ramanathan,
  • Nadja Baldesberger,
  • Nadja Baldesberger,
  • Nadja Baldesberger,
  • Léna G. Dietrich,
  • Léna G. Dietrich,
  • Camilla Speranza,
  • Alyssa Lüthy,
  • Alyssa Lüthy,
  • Andrea Buhl,
  • Andrea Buhl,
  • Martina Gisin,
  • Roswitha Koch,
  • Dunja Nicca,
  • L. Suzanne Suggs,
  • L. Suzanne Suggs,
  • Benedikt M. Huber,
  • Benedikt M. Huber,
  • Michael J. Deml,
  • Philip E. Tarr,
  • Philip E. Tarr

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2022.1604495
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 67

Abstract

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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.

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