The CONFIDENT study protocol: a randomized controlled trial comparing two methods to increase long-term care worker...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Communication
• Vaccinology

Background:

• COVID-19 vaccines are crucial for preventing severe illness and death.
• Long-term care workers (LTCWs) are a key group for increasing vaccine confidence due to their vulnerable patient populations.
• Research is needed on effective interventions to improve vaccine confidence among frontline LTCWs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness of two online interventions against enhanced usual practice in improving COVID-19 vaccine confidence among LTCWs.
• To determine if LTCW characteristics mediate or moderate intervention effects.
• To explore implementation factors for sustaining interventions.

Main Methods:

• A three-arm, randomized controlled trial (RCT) with an effectiveness-implementation hybrid design.
• Interventions include a dialogue-based webinar and a social media web application; control is enhanced usual practice.
• Data collected via online surveys at four time points; implementation explored through interviews and process evaluation.

Main Results:

• Primary outcome is COVID-19 vaccine confidence.
• Secondary outcomes include vaccine uptake, intent, recommendation likelihood, and trust in vaccine information.
• Exploration of implementation characteristics, contexts, and processes for sustainability.

Conclusions:

• Study findings will provide new knowledge on increasing COVID-19 vaccine confidence in LTCWs.
• Inform effective informational modalities and strategies for vaccine promotion in healthcare settings.