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.
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.
Couch, R. B. (1999). Measures for control of influenza. Pharmacoeconomics, 16(Suppl. 1), 41–45.
Doran, T., & McCann, R. (2001). Obstacles to influenza immunization in primary care. Journal of Public Health Medicine, 23, 329–334.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Corresponding author
Rights 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
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-007-0120-x