Title : Physician awareness and health system strategies for improving influenza vaccination uptake
Abstract:
Background: Japan’s remote island communities face overlapping structural challenges, including rapid population aging, shortages of healthcare professionals, and limited medical resources, making the establishment of sustainable healthcare delivery systems an urgent priority. Sado City in Niigata Prefecture is one of Japan’s remote islands, where geographic isolation and population decline heighten the need for optimal allocation of healthcare resources and healthcare system designs reform.
Objective: This study aimed to examine physicians’ perceptions and clinical practices regarding seasonal influenza vaccination in Sado City using a mixed-methods approach, and to identify current challenges in healthcare resource utilization while exploring the potential for sustainable resource allocation models that reflect local healthcare needs.
Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted among physicians practicing in Sado City. Quantitative survey data and in-depth interviews were analyzed to assess physicians’ levels of trust in influenza vaccines, sources of vaccine-related information, and perceived needs for workflow and system improvements related to vaccination practices.
Results: The findings revealed variability in physicians’ trust in influenza vaccines, as well as differences in information-seeking behaviors and vaccination-related clinical practices. Many physicians reported time constrains discussing vaccination with patients, and need for workflow optimization.
Conclusions: This study shows current physicians flu vaccination recognition and practice and some challenges in infectious disease prevention linked to healthcare system design.
