Qualitative study of clinic staff members' experiences using an immunization registry.
OBJECTIVE
To examine individual clinic staff members' experiences with using an immunization registry and to compare staff members' perceptions of immunization registries across different provider sites.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey using in-depth interviews and direct observation.


METHODS
The pediatric department of an urban community health center and 2 urban hospital-based pediatric primary care clinics.


METHODS
Twenty-five subjects were recruited using maximum variation sampling at each site. The subjects included clerks, clinic assistants, licensed practical nurses, a nurse practitioner, and registered nurses.


METHODS
Clinic staff members' perceptions of an immunization registry and frequency of registry use.


RESULTS
Differences were observed in subjects' perceptions of an immunization registry across provider sites. Although most subjects had positive attitudes toward the registry, they did not necessarily believe that the registry decreased their workload. The ability to access immunization registry data and actual use of the registry seem to be related to training of clinic personnel, location of the registry terminal, and helpfulness and availability of registry staff.


CONCLUSIONS
Obtaining the opinions of immunization registry users is an important strategy to evaluate the usefulness of a registry in a site and target possible areas for improvement.
Wells
K J
KJ
Department of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Rd NE, 6th Floor, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. kwells@sph.emory.edu
Holmes
A K
AK
Kohler
S A
SA
Rust
C T
CT
Rask
K J
KJ
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003151:Community Health Centers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload