title: Will pediatricians adopt the new rotavirus vaccine?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our objective was to determine the following among US pediatricians: (1) perceptions regarding burden of rotavirus disease and need for a vaccine; (2) intentions for recommending a newly licensed rotavirus vaccine; (3) perceived barriers to implementation; and (4) factors associated with plans for vaccine adoption.
  
  
  METHODS
  A network of 431 pediatricians was recruited from a random sample of American Academy of Pediatrics' members. The network was designed to be representative of the American Academy of Pediatrics with respect to region of the country, practice type, and practice setting. During January and February 2006, physicians were surveyed by Internet or mail. The survey contained a paragraph summarizing results of the new rotavirus vaccine trial. Respondents were asked about intentions to use the vaccine and anticipated barriers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey response rate was 71%. Of the respondents, 52% strongly agreed and 37% somewhat agreed with the need for a rotavirus vaccine. If recommended for routine use, 50% would strongly recommend and 34% would recommend but not strongly; 52% would begin to use within 6 months and 27% from 6 months to 1 year. The top 3 "definite" barriers to implementation included concerns about uniform coverage of vaccine by insurers, lack of adequate reimbursement, and parental reluctance because of withdrawal of previous rotavirus vaccine. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with very likely adoption of the vaccine included perception of a high burden of rotavirus disease and a high level of confidence in prelicensure studies of vaccine safety. The presence of physician concerns about safety of the new vaccine and the perception of parental concerns about vaccine safety in general were negatively associated with adoption.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of pediatricians reported willingness to implement the new rotavirus vaccine, most within 6 months. Major barriers to optimal implementation included provider concerns about reimbursement issues and parental acceptance of the vaccine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado, USA. kempe.allison@tchden.org
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kempe
authors.forename: Matthew F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Daley
authors.forename: Umesh D
authors.initials: UD
authors.lastname: Parashar
authors.forename: Lori A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.forename: Brenda L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Beaty
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stokley
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barrow
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Babbel
authors.forename: L Miriam
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Dickinson
authors.forename: Marc-Alain
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Widdowson
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berman
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007443:Intussusception / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010372:Pediatrics; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines