Addressing Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: Physician Strategies

23 Pages Posted: 14 Dec 2022

See all articles by Joy Melnikow

Joy Melnikow

University of California, Davis

Andrew Padovani

JBS International, Inc

Jingwen Zhang

University of California, Davis

Marykate Miller

University of California, Davis

Melissa Gosdin

University of California, Davis

Sabrina Loureiro

University of California, Davis

Brock Daniels

Cornell University

Abstract

Vaccination and booster coverage remain key to reducing hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19, the third leading cause of death in the U.S. To identify physician strategies to address vaccine-hesitancy, we surveyed a national representative sample of physicians in frontline specialties. A random sample of 13,064 physicians from a comprehensive list of practicing physicians in the United States were emailed a survey in August 2021. Survey questions addressed patient concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines and asked about strategies used to counter vaccine misinformation and encourage vaccine-hesitant patients. Weighting was applied to achieve representativeness and reduce non-response bias, Open-ended responses were coded via thematic analysis. Multi-variable logistic regression evaluated associations between physician and pandemic characteristics with use of communication strategies. 531 physicians responded (4.1%): emergency medicine (142); critical care (84); primary care (241); hospitalists (34); and infectious disease (30). Weighted response balance statistics suggested balance between respondents and nonrespondents. On average, physicians reported hearing 4 vaccine concerns from patients. Safety, side effects, vaccine misinformation, and mistrust in government were most common. 297 physicians described communication strategies: 180 (61%) provided vaccine education and 94 (32%) created a safe space for vaccine discussion. Compared with emergency medicine, critical care (2.45, 95% CI 1.14, 5.24), infectious disease (2.45, 95% CI 1.00,6.02), and primary care physicians (1.66, 95% CI 1.02, 2.70) were more likely to provide communication strategies. Physicians can play a key role in addressing concerns and misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine. Support and vaccine infrastructure can expand opportunities for vaccination in the Emergency Department.

Note:

Funding Information: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Declaration of Interests: The authors report no financial disclosures.

Ethics Approval Statement: This study was considered exempt from review by the Institutional Review Board of the University of California, Davis.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccines, vaccination refusal, COVID-19/prevention and control, Physician's Role, Patient education, Health Promotion, Health Communication

Suggested Citation

Melnikow, Joy and Padovani, Andrew and Zhang, Jingwen and Miller, Marykate and Gosdin, Melissa and Loureiro, Sabrina and Daniels, Brock, Addressing Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: Physician Strategies. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4299965 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4299965

Joy Melnikow (Contact Author)

University of California, Davis ( email )

Andrew Padovani

JBS International, Inc ( email )

Jingwen Zhang

University of California, Davis

Marykate Miller

University of California, Davis ( email )

Melissa Gosdin

University of California, Davis ( email )

Sabrina Loureiro

University of California, Davis ( email )

Brock Daniels

Cornell University ( email )

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