Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of general practitioners/family physicians toward their own vaccination: A systematic review

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2016 May 3;12(5):1282-92. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1138024. Epub 2016 Apr 14.

Abstract

Context: General practitioners and family physicians (GP/FPs) play a key role in the vaccination of the public in many countries and serve as role models for their patients through their own health behaviors.

Objectives and methods: a) To search for and document recommended/mandated vaccines for GP/FPs in high-income countries; b) To systematically search and review the literature on these physicians' knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors (KABB) toward their own vaccination with the recommended/mandated vaccines and the factors determining it.

Results: a) The 14 countries included recommended or mandated as many as 12 vaccines; b) The systematic review identified 11 studies published in the last 10 y. All considered seasonal influenza vaccination but differed in the variables investigated.

Discussion/conclusions: This review highlights the need for further studies on this topic, including qualitative and interventional studies (based on behavior change theories). These should cover occupational vaccines and determinants known to be associated with vaccine hesitancy.

Keywords: attitude to health; general practice; immunization; primary care; vaccine; vaccine coverage; vaccine hesitancy; vaccine uptake.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • General Practitioners / psychology*
  • General Practitioners / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Humans
  • Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Physicians, Family / psychology*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Vaccination / psychology*
  • Vaccines / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Influenza Vaccines
  • Vaccines