AUTHOR=Lucas Ramanathan Pia , Baldesberger Nadja , Dietrich Léna G. , Speranza Camilla , Lüthy Alyssa , Buhl Andrea , Gisin Martina , Koch Roswitha , Nicca Dunja , Suggs L. Suzanne , Huber Benedikt M. , Deml Michael J. , Tarr Philip E. 

TITLE=Health Care Professionals’ Interest in Vaccination Training in Switzerland: A Quantitative Survey

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 67 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2022.1604495

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2022.1604495

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=Objectives: Among most trusted advisors on vaccination, health care professionals (HCPs) play an important role for vaccination decisions. To counsel patients/clients appropriately, HCPs need current factual knowledge about vaccines and strong skills in communication.
Methods: We conducted an online survey with physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and midwives in Switzerland. We evaluated: (1) interest in vaccination knowledge and counseling training; (2) vaccination recommendation practices; (3) experience with vaccination counseling/administration; (4) comfort level in addressing vaccine hesitancy (VH); (5) perspectives on patient/client VH, delays, and refusals.
Results: In total, 1,933 practicing HCPs responded: (N=496 physicians), (N=226 pharmacists), (N=607 nurses), (N=604 midwives). 43% physicians, 31% pharmacists, 15% nurses, and 23% midwives felt comfortable counseling VH patients/clients. 96% physicians, 98% pharmacists, 85% nurses, and 91% midwives were interested in additional vaccination-related training. 
Conclusion: Results demonstrate a high interest among HCPs in Switzerland for additional training related to vaccination. In addition to educational components including factual information about vaccination, such training will likely benefit from a communication component, particularly given the low rates of comfort reported by HCPs when counseling VH patients/clients.