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Influenza immunization in the elderly: knowledge and attitudes do not explain physician behavior.
1Milwaukee County Medical Complex, WI.
American Journal of Public Health
|October 1, 1989
Summary
Physician offering of influenza immunizations to elderly patients was low at 41%. Factors like prior vaccination and multiple visits increased offering rates, while patient demographics and perceived vaccine risks did not influence decisions.
Area of Science:
- Geriatrics
- Public Health
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Influenza vaccination is crucial for elderly health.
- Understanding physician practices in vaccine ordering is essential for improving uptake.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors influencing primary care physicians' decisions to order influenza immunizations for elderly patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 847 elderly patient records.
- Survey of 95 primary care physicians regarding their influenza immunization ordering practices.
Main Results:
- Only 41% of eligible elderly patients were offered influenza vaccine.
- Vaccine offering was higher for patients with prior year vaccination (61%) and multiple visits (47%).
- Patient age, sex, race, perceived side effects, and efficacy estimates did not correlate with offering rates.
Conclusions:
- Physician-level factors, such as prior vaccination history and visit frequency, significantly impact influenza immunization offering rates in the elderly.
- Targeted interventions focusing on physician behavior and patient visit patterns may improve influenza vaccination coverage in this vulnerable population.