Medical screening tests and vaccination among hospital-based physicians in Israel

Very few studies have evaluated physician participation in screening tests and vaccinations. The aim was to evaluate attitudes and actual practice of screening tests and vaccinations among hospital-based physicians and to identify factors that predict actual performance.

A cross-sectional study including 220 physicians in various specializations. The study was conducted between January 1, 2017 and December 10, 2017. The statistical analysis was performed during October, 2020 and completed in October 25, 2020.

The vast majority of physicians (94%) believed in the importance of screening tests for physicians, but less than half actually underwent the tests themselves. A high percentage of physicians measured their BMI (84.5%) and had a serum lipid profile test (67.7%) and complete blood counts (75%) over the previous five years, but less than a third of female physicians over 50 years of age had a mammogram and only 8% of the physicians over 50 had a fecal occult blood test. A high percentage of physicians were vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B, chickenpox and measles (66-96% for the various vaccinations), but only 41% had an influenza vaccination in the previous year. In a multivariate logistic regression model, physicians who believed that hospital physicians bore a responsibility for recommending screening tests to their patients were more likely to have their BMI and their blood pressure checked (OR = 2.234, P = 0.007). They were more likely to undergo laboratory testing (OR = 4.082, P < 0.0001) and tended to get vaccinated more (OR = 1.907, P = 0.051).

The rate of screening tests and vaccinations among hospital-based physicians is sub-optimal and very low for fecal occult blood testing and mammograms. Structured programs are required to implement screening tests and vaccinations among physicians.