Subject(s)
Biomedical Research , Chagas Disease/blood , Needlestick Injuries/parasitology , Occupational Exposure/adverse effects , Antigens, Protozoan/blood , Chagas Disease/diagnosis , DNA, Protozoan/blood , Female , Humans , Male , Serologic Tests , Trypanosoma cruzi/immunology , Watchful WaitingABSTRACT
We surveyed resident physicians (RPs) at an academic medical center to determine the rate of influenza vaccination and reasons for nonvaccination. The overall self-reported immunization rate of RPs in 2013-2014 was 76.7%, and the most common reason for not being vaccinated was lack of time to get immunized (38.6%). Making flu vaccination available in training hospitals and at convenient locations and times that take into account varying work schedules may increase compliance.
Subject(s)
Cross Infection/prevention & control , Immunization , Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Physicians , Adult , Female , Guideline Adherence , Hospitals, Teaching , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Acceptance of Health CareSubject(s)
Awareness , Health Education , Health Promotion/organization & administration , Public Health , HumansSubject(s)
Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines , Health Personnel , Occupational Diseases/prevention & control , Whooping Cough/prevention & control , Humans , Occupational Diseases/diagnosis , Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , United States/epidemiology , Vaccination/standards , Whooping Cough/diagnosis , Whooping Cough/epidemiology , Whooping Cough/transmissionSubject(s)
Amputation, Surgical , Disabled Persons , Job Application , Tibia/surgery , Adult , Humans , Job Description , Male , New JerseySubject(s)
Clinical Laboratory Techniques/methods , Mass Screening/methods , Reagent Kits, Diagnostic/microbiology , Tuberculosis/diagnosis , Academic Medical Centers , Antibodies, Bacterial/analysis , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Humans , Occupational Health Services/methods , Sensitivity and Specificity , Tuberculosis/blood , WorkforceABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Because resident physicians (RPs) frequently have direct patient contact, those who are unimmunized against influenza potentially subject patients to unnecessary risk of infection. OBJECTIVE: To determine the rates of, knowledge regarding, and attitudes toward influenza immunization among RPs. We hypothesized that rates of and knowledge about influenza immunization did not differ between primary care (PC) and non-PC RPs. METHODS: A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire distributed to a convenience sample of 300 RPs (150 PC and 150 non-PC). The questionnaire requested influenza immunization status in the 2003-2004 and previous seasons and factors influencing respondents' decisions whether to be immunized. It included a 20-item test of knowledge about influenza immunization. RESULTS: Two hundred five (68.3%) of 300 distributed questionnaires (196 that were evaluable) were returned. Response rates of PC and non-PC RPs did not differ (P = .79). The overall immunization rate of RPs in 2003-2004 was 38.3% and rates did not differ between PC (38.9%) and non-PC (37.6%) RPs. RPs most often cited "self-protection" as a reason for electing (93.3%) and "lack of time" for declining (47.1%) influenza immunization. Their ability to correctly answer questions about influenza immunization varied; their mean knowledge score was 13.7 (perfect = 20). PC and non-PC trainees did not differ by knowledge score (P = .48). However, RPs "ever vaccinated" had a higher knowledge score than those "never vaccinated" (P = .01). CONCLUSION: RPs have low immunization rates and significant gaps in knowledge regarding influenza immunization. These problems should be addressed during their training by education on the importance, effectiveness, and safety of influenza vaccine for them and their patients.
