Purpose: The general purpose of TELL ME study was to give an insight into the experiences of European family physicians with management of H1N1 pandemic flu.
Methods: Qualitative research methods (focus group discussions, one-to-one interviews, and online data collection) were used to explore family doctors' opinion and suggestions. Overall 158 family physicians took part in the study from six European countries.
Results: Family doctors' most important experience was that the official campaign was not able to compensate negative effects of the mass media. Due to the poor evidence-based information about new vaccines, it was difficult to convince the public and some health care professionals too. Lack of unified directives - under unclear circumstances - made the routine patient care more difficult and hampered the collaboration between different health care providers. Family physicians felt a pressure from health authorities to achieve high immunization rate, but got only a little support from them. Despite the difficulties, vaccination program was a success, mainly among high-risk population. For better handling of a future pandemic, Hungarian family physician made many general and practical suggestions.
Keywords: H1N1; communication; family physician; pandemic; vaccination.