scholarly journals COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among medical students

Author(s):  
Victoria C Lucia ◽  
Arati Kelekar ◽  
Nelia M Afonso

ABSTRACT Background Medical students are among the group of frontline healthcare providers likely to be exposed to COVID-19 patients. It is important to achieve high COVID-19 vaccination coverage rates in this group as soon as a vaccine is available. As future healthcare providers, they will be entrusted with providing vaccine recommendations and counseling vaccine-hesitant patients. Methods This project used self-report to assess vaccine hesitancy and acceptance among medical students towards the novel COVID-19 vaccine. Results Nearly all participants had positive attitudes towards vaccines and agreed they would likely be exposed to COVID-19; however, only 53% indicated they would participate in a COVID-19 vaccine trial and 23% were unwilling to take a COVID-19 vaccine immediately upon FDA approval. Students willing to immediately take the vaccine were more likely to trust public health experts, have fewer concerns about side effects and agree with vaccine mandates (P < 0.05). Concern for serious side effects was independently predictive of lower odds of intent to participate in a COVID-19 vaccine trial (AOR = 0.41, P = 0.01). Conclusion This is the first study to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among US medical students and highlights the need for an educational curriculum about the safety and effectiveness to promote uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine.

2021 ◽  
pp. 000486742098788
Author(s):  
Giles Newton-Howes ◽  
Jessica Senior ◽  
Ben Beaglehole ◽  
Gordon L Purdie ◽  
Sarah E Gordon

Objective: This study sought to investigate the impact of a service user-led anti-stigma and discrimination education programme, encompassing numerous interventions focused on facilitating multiple forms of social contact, the promotion of recovery, and respect for human rights, on medical student attitudes. Method: A comparison cohort study was used to compare the attitudes of two cohorts of medical students who received this programme as part of their fifth (the fifth-year cohort) or sixth (the sixth-year cohort) year psychological medical education attachment (programme cohorts) with two cohorts of equivalent students who received a standard psychological medical attachment (control cohorts). Attitudes to recovery (using the Recovery Attitudes Questionnaire) and stigma (using the Opening Minds Scale for Healthcare Providers) were measured at the beginning and end of the attachments for each year and compared both within and between the cohorts using Wilcoxon signed-rank or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results: With sample sizes ranging from 46 to 70 across all cohorts, after their psychological medicine attachment both the programme and control cohorts showed more positive attitudes towards recovery and less stigmatising attitudes towards people with lived experience of mental distress. Significant differences between the programme cohorts and the control cohorts were found for recovery attitudes (median difference of 2, p < 0.05 in both fifth and sixth year), with particularly large differences being found for the ‘recovery is possible and needs faith’ subdomain of the Recovery Attitudes Questionnaire. There were no significant between cohort differences in terms of stigmatising attitudes as measured by the Opening Minds Scale for Healthcare Providers. Conclusion: The introduction of a comprehensive service user-led anti-stigma and education programme resulted in significant improvements in recovery attitudes compared to a control cohort. However, it was not found to be similarly superior in facilitating less stigmatising attitudes. Various possible reasons for this are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-176
Author(s):  
Bushra Suhail ◽  
Ayesha Masood ◽  
Javaria Baig ◽  
Sara Mukhtar ◽  
Sarah Aftab ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: This study investigated medical and non-medical students’ knowledge, attitude, and preparedness regarding COVID-19 pandemic, to groom volunteers and future healthcare providers in a better way. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study was completed from April to May 2020 during the first wave of COVID-19. An online questionnaire was distributed using internet and social media (SM). The questionnaire was composed of several parts concerning to demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practices. RESULTS: This study included 1851 students [1041(56.54% medical, 810(43.46%) non-medical students)]. Medical students had significantly better knowledge about the contagious nature, spread and treatment of coronavirus. Non-medical students showed more risky behavior compared to medical students (p = 0.005). The use of masks and the frequency of handwashing was better among medical students as compared to non-medical students (p< 0.001; p< 0.014, respectively). The odds ratio indicates that students of the age group 21-25 years (45%) and medical students (75%) were more likely to have a positive attitude. CONCLUSION: This study revealed good knowledge, positive attitudes, and good practices towards COVID-19 among medical students. Still, a minority of participants from both groups revealed misconceptions and relatively poor conceptual knowledge regarding the disease.


2020 ◽  
pp. 103985622097193
Author(s):  
Sarah E Gordon ◽  
Leah A Kininmonth ◽  
Giles Newton-Howes ◽  
Gordon L Purdie ◽  
Tracey Gardiner

Objective: To assess and compare attitudes of medical students in response to two service-user-led anti-stigma and discrimination education programmes. Method: Two programmes, consistent with the key elements of effective contact-based anti-stigma and discrimination education programmes for healthcare providers, were delivered to medical students in their penultimate and final year: a more intensive version of the programme in 2015/2016 and a briefer programme in 2016/2017. Attitudes were assessed using the Recovery Attitudes Questionnaire (RAQ) and the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers (OMS-HC-20) at the beginning and end of their final year. Results: There were no significant differences between the years in initial scores on either scale. Both cohorts showed statistically significant reductions in scores on both scales after completion of the programme, indicating overall improvements in students’ attitudes with reductions in stigma, and more positive attitudes towards recovery of those in mental distress. The more intensive programme led to significantly greater improvement in reductions in stigma than the less intensive programme. Conclusion: Findings support the need for contact-based anti-stigma and discrimination education programmes for medical students that are both intensive and repeated over time.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (S1) ◽  
pp. s55-s55
Author(s):  
Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz ◽  
Mary Lou Manning ◽  
Angela Gerolamo ◽  
Mary Johansen ◽  
Irina Grafova ◽  
...  

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine is an important intervention to control the COVID-19 pandemic. As the most trusted profession integral to providing care to patients across all care settings, nurses play a critical role in educating patients regarding the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. However, little is known about the readiness of registered nurses (RNs) to receive the vaccine. Methods: In October 2020, prior to FDA approval of vaccines, we conducted a cross-sectional electronic survey of all active registered nurses in the state of New Jersey. The eligibility criteria included providing direct patient care in a New Jersey hospital in an emergency or an adult inpatient unit during the emergence of COVID-19 (March 2020). Results: In total, 3,027 RNs completed the survey (15% response rate). When asked whether they plan to get vaccinated, 27% of RNs responded yes, 30% responded no, and 43% were undecided. Among those RNs who reported that they were planning to get vaccinated, their main reasons for their willingness to receive the vaccine included (1) wanting to protect themselves and their families (95%), (2) wanting to protect the community at large (76%), wanting to protect their patients (75%), the belief that life won’t get back to normal until most people are vaccinated (72%), and the belief that getting vaccinated is the best way to avoid getting seriously ill from COVID-19 (67%). The main reasons reported for not planning to or being undecided about getting vaccinated included the belief that the vaccine will likely be developed too quickly to be safe (81%) and concern about the side effects from the vaccine (74%). RNs also reported being in a low-risk group for becoming seriously ill (12%) and having had COVID-19 (8%) as reasons for planning not to get vaccinated. In open-ended responses, participants also discussed several additional issues driving vaccine hesitancy: their lack of trust in the political process, planning to become pregnant or currently pregnant or breastfeeding, questions about effectiveness of the vaccine and long-term side effects, and the need for more information before making a decision. Conclusions: This cross-sectional study of all acute-care RNs in the State of New Jersey was conducted prior to the FDA approval of COVID-19 vaccines. The results outline factors driving vaccine hesitancy among RNs. Although vaccine efficacy data and approval by the FDA may have alleviated some of these fears, immunization programs for healthcare workers and the public should focus on dispelling myths about vaccine development and side effects.Funding: NoDisclosures: None


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Wentzell ◽  
Ana-Monica Racila

AbstractBackgroundVaccine hesitancy could undermine the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination programs. Knowledge about people’s lived experiences regarding COVID-19 vaccination can enhance vaccine promotion and increase uptake.AimTo use COVID-19 vaccine trial participants’ experiences to identify key themes in the lived experience of vaccination early in the vaccine approval and distribution process.MethodsWe interviewed 31 participants in the Iowa City, Iowa US site of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine phase 3 clinical trial. While trial participation differs from clinical receipt of an approved vaccine in key ways, it offers the first view of people’s lived experiences of potentially receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. The trial context is also useful since decision-making about vaccination and medical research participation often involve similar hopes and concerns, and because the public appears to view even approved COVID-19 vaccines as experimental given their novelty. Semi-structured interviews addressed subjects’ experiences, including decision-making and telling others about their trial participation. We analyzed verbatim transcripts of these interviews thematically and identified common themes relevant for vaccination decision-making.ResultsParticipants across demographic groups, including age, sex/gender, race/ethnicity, and political affiliation, described largely similar experiences. Key motivations for participation included ending the pandemic/restoring normalcy, protecting oneself and others, doing one’s duty, promoting/modeling vaccination, and expressing aspects of identity like being a helper, career-related motivations, and support of science/vaccines. Participants often felt uniquely qualified to help via trial participation due to personal attributes like health, sex/gender or race/ethnicity. They reported hearing concerns about side effects and the speed and politicization of vaccine development. Participants responded by normalizing and contextualizing side effects, de-politicizing vaccine development, and explaining how the rapid development process was nevertheless safe.ConclusionThese findings regarding participants’ reported motivations for trial participation and interactions with concerned others can be incorporated into COVID-19 vaccine promotion messaging aimed at similar populations.


2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (02) ◽  
pp. 269-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kam-Lun Ellis Hon ◽  
Ting-Fan Leung ◽  
Hio-Meng Tse ◽  
Lai-Na Lam ◽  
Kwok-Cheong Tam ◽  
...  

We studied the attitudes and personal experiences with traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) use in Chinese medical students. Medical students at the Chinese University of Hong Kong were asked 13 questions according to an anonymous survey. Six hundred and eleven of 780 medical students (47% males, 52% females) returned the questionnaire; 199 (33%) of the participants used TCM at least once in the past year, and 85% had ever tried various TCM. The attitude was positive in 41%, neutral in 52% and negative in only 6%. The majority (70%) reported no change in attitudes towards TCM after studying Western medicine (WM). Of the 199 participants who had used TCM in the past year, upper respiratory infections were the most common circumstance leading to TCM usage, with 31% immediately using TCM without any TCM practitioner consultation. The most common modality of TCM used by 85% of participants was herbal decoction, and nearly one-quarter had used over-the-counter Chinese medicine. Although 78% reported they knew of the TCM practitioner or treatment from family members or friends, 14% stated they randomly selected the practitioner. "Effectiveness of TCM," "fewer side effects than WM," "illness not completely treated by WM" and "recommendation from family/friends" were common beliefs held by participants for TCM usage. Forty-five percent reported that they had not been told of any side effects of TCM. Pre-clinical students had more positive attitudes towards TCM and consulted TCM practitioners more often in the past 12 months (OR 9.1, CI 3.16–28.18; p <0.001) compared to students in clinical years, who tended to become more negative towards TCM after studying WM. TCM usage is common among medical students in Hong Kong. It is important to note that nearly half of the students were not aware of any possible side effects from TCM. Students appear to become more negative towards TCM after studying WM.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud Hashemzaei ◽  
Mahdi Afshari ◽  
Zahra Koohkan ◽  
Ali Bazi ◽  
Ramin Rezaee ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Self-medication is defined as using medicinal products to treat the disorders or symptoms diagnosed by oneself. Although informed self-medication is one of the ways to reduce health care costs, inappropriate self-treatment can pose various risks including drug side effects, recurrence of symptoms, drug resistance, etc. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacy and medical students toward self-medication. Methods This study was conducted in Zabol University of Medical Sciences in 2018. Overall, 170 pharmacy and medical students were included. A three-part researcher-made questionnaire was designed to address the students’ knowledge, attitude, and practice. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS 25 software. Results According to the results, 97 (57.1%) students had carried out self-medication within the past 6 months. Overall, the students self-medicated on average 4.2 ± 2.9 times per year. Self-medication was more common in male students (65.4%, P = 0.043). Cold was the most common ailment treated with self-medication (93.2%), and antibiotics (74.4%) were the most commonly used drugs. The primary information sources used by the students were their previous prescriptions (47.4%). Pharmacy students had a higher level of drug information (P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant association between the level of drug information and the tendency for self-medication (P = 0.005). Disease recurrence was the most common negative complication of self-medication. Conclusion There is a need to educate pharmacy and medical students regarding self-medication and its side effects. The high prevalence of self-medication and the overuse of antibiotics can pose a significant risk of drug resistance.


Author(s):  
Vsevolod Konstantinov ◽  
Alexander Reznik ◽  
Masood Zangeneh ◽  
Valentina Gritsenko ◽  
Natallia Khamenka ◽  
...  

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of foreign students toward the use of medical cannabis (MC) for pain management. Methods: This study uses data collected from 549 foreign students from India (n = 289) and Middle Eastern countries mostly from Egypt, Iran, Syria, and Jordan (n = 260) studying medicine in Russia and Belarus. Data collected from Russian and Belarusian origin medical students (n = 796) were used for comparison purposes. Pearson’s chi-squared and t-test were used to analyze the data. Results: Foreign students’ country of origin and gender statuses do not tend to be correlated with medical student responses toward medical cannabis use. Students from Russia and Belarus who identified as secular, compared to those who were religious, reported more positive attitudes toward medical cannabis and policy change. Conclusions: This study is the first to examine the attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs toward medical cannabis among foreign students from India and Middle Eastern countries studying in Russia and Belarus, two countries who oppose its recreational and medicine use. Indian and Middle Eastern students, as a group, tend to be more supportive of MC than their Russian and Belarusian counterparts. These results may be linked to cultural and historical reasons. This study provides useful information for possible medical and allied health curriculum and education purposes.


Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 713
Author(s):  
Cheryl Lin ◽  
Jewel Mullen ◽  
Danielle Smith ◽  
Michaela Kotarba ◽  
Samantha J. Kaplan ◽  
...  

Despite vaccines’ effectiveness in reducing the rate of preventable diseases, vaccine hesitancy has threatened public health and economies worldwide. Healthcare providers’ (HCP) communications and behavior strongly influence patient receptivity and uptake. The goal of this review was to examine HCP vaccine perceptions, knowledge, and reservations and how these attitudes affect their recommendations and vaccination practices. Primary research studies published by 16 September 2020 were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. A 14-item scale was developed for survey study and risk of bias appraisal (SSRBA). In total, 96 papers from 34 countries were included, covering 17 vaccines (HPV and influenza vaccines the most studied). Recommendation was positively associated with provider knowledge and experience, beliefs about disease risk, and perceptions of vaccine safety, necessity, and efficacy. HCP vaccination attitudes and practices varied across specialties, vaccines, and countries; demographic impact was inconclusive. Barriers included anticipation of patient/parental concerns or refusal, lacking clear guidelines, time constraints, and cost. For HPV, vaccines were more often recommended to older, female adolescents and by physicians who discussed sexual health. HCPs are vital advocates for patients and the public, but studies indicated a prevalence of provider hesitancy pertaining to inadequate knowledge, low vaccine confidence, and suboptimal uptake themselves. Improving HCP knowledge and assuring their access to information they deem trustworthy are essential to supporting HCPs‘ role as “trusted messengers” to promote vaccine acceptance.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e039344
Author(s):  
Shinsuke Yahata ◽  
Taro Takeshima ◽  
Tsuneaki Kenzaka ◽  
Masanobu Okayama

ObjectivesThis study investigated what kinds of experiences influence regional quota (chiikiwaku) medical students’ motivation to practice community healthcare (CH), and the mechanism of this influence, by focusing on their experiences in a community-based medical education (CBME) programme.DesignA qualitative thematic analysis based on interviews.SettingParticipants were recruited from the chiikiwaku students of Kobe University, Japan, using purposive sampling.ParticipantsFourteen students participated. The median (IQR) age of participants was 23 (23–24); half were sixth-year and half fifth-year students.AnalysisFrom September to December 2018, the interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed according to the ‘Steps for Coding and Theorisation’ method. Our theoretical framework comprised three internal motives (ie, needs, cognitions and emotions) and their subordinate motivation theories self-determination theory, expectancy-value theories, and positive and negative emotions, respectively.ResultsThree mechanisms and corresponding experiences emerged. The first mechanism, envisioning and preparing for practising CH, included corresponding experiences—empathy for the community, grasping the demands for CH, understanding the practices of CH, finding a role model and diminishing the conflicts between personal life and career. The second mechanism, belonging to a supportive community, included the robust construction of students’ CH community and harmonisation with community residents. The third mechanism, psychological effects included the affect heuristic and framing effect. Student experiences brought about the changes and influences described in the presented mechanisms, and had both positive and negative impacts on their motivation towards CH. These results can be interpreted through the multifaceted lenses of motivation theories.ConclusionsThe authors revealed that motivation mechanisms of medical students towards CH derived from positive interaction with community residents, healthcare professionals and other students, and from exposure to attractive community environments and cultures. These experiences should be incorporated into CBME programmes to further encourage positive attitudes towards CH.


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