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.
Highlights
The success of vaccines as a lifesaving and cost-effective medical intervention is well established
Global regulators have highlighted the key role of Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) in fostering confidence in COVID-19 vaccines [8]
It has been recognised that Healthcare professionals (HCPs) need support when talking to patients and the public on COVID-19 vaccines to ensure that patients are reassured of the safety of the vaccines and the robustness of regulatory processes
Summary
The success of vaccines as a lifesaving and cost-effective medical intervention is well established. In 2019, Albania, Czechia, Greece and the United Kingdom lost their measles-free status, forcing the WHO to declare an emergency response [2]. This concerning trend highlights the importance of maintaining immunisation uptake rates to reduce the transmission of vaccine preventable diseases (VPD). The WHO Measuring Behavioural and Social Drivers of Vaccination group highlights the importance of the provider recommendation in vaccine decision making, supported by. Global regulators have highlighted the key role of Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) in fostering confidence in COVID-19 vaccines [8]. Global regulators have highlighted the key role of HCPs in fostering confidence in COVID-19 vaccines
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