Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Practice and Physician Characteristics Associated with Influenza Vaccination Delivery Rates Following a Patient Reminder Letter Intervention

  • Report
  • Published:
The Journal of Primary Prevention Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

As part of the “Provider and Patient Reminders in Ontario: Multi-strategy Prevention Tools” demonstration project, the purpose of this study was to explore the practice and physician characteristics associated with influenza vaccination rates following a reminder letter intervention for patients 65 years of age and older. Using a sample of 179 physicians, we estimated a multiple linear regression model to examine variables predictive of vaccination delivery rates. Several provider characteristics, including certification with the College of Family Physicians of Canada and practicing in an urban area, were predictive of the success of the reminder letter campaign. Examining other physician and practice factors associated with vaccination delivery following a reminder letter campaign may help improve such prevention efforts.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  • Anderson, K. K., Sebaldt, R. J., Lohfeld, L., Burgess, K., Donald, F. C., & Kaczorowski, J. (2006). Views of family physicians in southwestern Ontario on preventive care services and performance incentives. Family Practice, 23, 469–471.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Couch, R. B. (1999). Measures for control of influenza. Pharmacoeconomics, 16(Suppl. 1), 41–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Doran, T., & McCann, R. (2001). Obstacles to influenza immunization in primary care. Journal of Public Health Medicine, 23, 329–334.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, P. A., Hermogenes, A. W., Sacks, H. S., Lau, J., & Levandowski, R. A. (1995). The efficacy of influenza vaccine in elderly persons: A meta-analysis and review of the literature. Annals of Internal Medicine, 123, 518–527.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hutchison, B., Woodward, C. A., Norman, G. R., Abelson, J., & Brown, J. A. (1998). Provision of preventive care to unannounced standardized patients. CMAJ, 158, 185–193.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hutchison, B. G., Abelson, J., Woodward, C. A., & Norman, G. (1996). Preventive care and barriers to effective prevention. How do family physicians see it? Canadian Family Physician, 42, 1693–1700.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kouides, R. W., Bennett, N. M., Lewis, B., Cappuccio, J. D., Barker, W. H., & LaForce, F. M. (1998). Performance-based physician reimbursement and influenza immunization rates in the elderly. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14, 89–95.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kurji, K. (2004). The Ontario experience with universal vaccination. Paper presented at the National Influenza Vaccine Summit, Atlanta, GA.

  • Nichol, K. L. (2003). The efficacy, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of inactivated influenza virus vaccines. Vaccine, 21, 1769–1775.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Szilagyi, P. G., Shone, L. P., Barth, R., Kouides, R. W., Long, C., Humiston, S. G., et al. (2005). Physician practices and attitudes regarding adult immunizations. Preventive Medicine, 40, 152–161.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmerman, R. K., Nowalk, M. P., Bardella, I. J., Fine, M. J., Janosky, J. E., Santibanez, T. A., et al. (2004). Physician and practice factors related to influenza vaccination among the elderly. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 26, 1–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

This work was supported by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (Primary Health Care Transition Fund G03-02757).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Janusz Kaczorowski.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Anderson, K.K., Sebaldt, R.J., Lohfeld, L. et al. Practice and Physician Characteristics Associated with Influenza Vaccination Delivery Rates Following a Patient Reminder Letter Intervention. J Primary Prevent 29, 93–97 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-007-0120-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-007-0120-x

Keywords

Navigation