Physician perceptions about administration of immunizations outside of physician offices.
BACKGROUND
Expanding nonphysician participation in the administration of immunizations has been suggested as a means of increasing immunization rates. However, there is little information about physician interest in collaborating with nonphysicians to provide out-of-office immunizations.


METHODS
All active members of the Iowa Academy of Family Physicians were surveyed by mail. Physicians reported on their collaboration histories, their willingness to collaborate in the future, their concerns with collaboration, and whether they approved of their patients' using nonphysicians for immunizations.


RESULTS
Of 898 eligible physicians, 476 (53%) returned questionnaires that were analyzed. Seventy-five percent (n = 357) of the physicians reported that they had voluntarily collaborated with a person outside their office to provide immunizations. Ninety-five percent (n = 452) of physicians indicated a willingness to collaborate in some form in the future. However, physicians had concerns about (a) being able to be kept informed about immunizations their patients receive outside of their offices, (b) adequate training of the nonphysician to administer immunizations and respond to complications of immunization, and (c) loss of preventive health opportunities if patients ceased coming to physicians for routine immunizations.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of family physicians have collaborated to deliver immunizations and indicate support for nonphysician participation. Almost all physicians would consider future collaborative arrangements although they have concerns about record keeping and the safety of out-of-office immunization programs.
Bergus
G R
GR
Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52245, USA. george-bergus@uiowa.edu
Ernst
M E
ME
Sorofman
B A
BA
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003815:Dentists; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010824:Physicians' Offices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011637:Public Health Nursing; D012572:School Health Services; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires