Practitioner attitudes toward RSV counseling revealed

Practitioner attitudes toward RSV counseling revealed | Image Credit: © surasak - © surasak - stock.adobe.com.

There is a lack of strong awareness about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and its impact on infants, according to a recent survey conducted by Contemporary OB/GYN.

The survey was completed by 72 health care practitioners, 73.61% of whom were practicing obstetricians and gynecologists. Forty-two respondents answered the initial question about their personal RSV awareness on a scale from 1 to 5.

Only 19.05% reported being extremely familiar with RSV and its impact on infants, vs 28.57% who were very familiar, 30.9% somewhat familiar, 19.05% not so familiar, and 2.38% not familiar at all. For the most part, respondents always discussed RSV immunizations with their pregnant and postpartum patients, at a rate of 38.10%.

Usually discussing RSV immunizations with patients was reported by 21.43% of respondents, sometimes by 14.29%, rarely by 21.43%, and never by 4.76%. Only 23.81% were extremely confident in their ability to counsel patients about RSV immunizations, with 19.05% being not so confident and 4.76% being not at all confident.

On average, 21% to 40% of patients were already aware of RSV and immunization availability before discussion with a health care provider. However, 38.10% of respondents reported awareness among only 0% to 20% of their patients.

Approximately 52% noted that it is extremely important for expectant mothers to receive RSV vaccination, but 9.52% believed it is not so important. Similar results were found when respondents were asked about the importance of infants receiving RSV vaccination at birth.

Lack of patient awareness was the most common barrier toward RSV immunization according to 61.90% of practitioners. This was followed by safety concerns from 54.76%, time constraints from 23.81%, efficacy concerns from 14.29%, and other from 11.90%.

Medical journals, online medical resources, and professional associations were the most common resources for staying up to date on RSV and its immunizations. Less common were conferences and workshops, peers, and pharmaceutical representatives.

Educational brochures or pamphlets were the most common additional resources providers believed would help them counsel their patients, being listed by 85.71%. This was followed by online medical resources by 35.71%, support from medical associations by 28.57%, training workshops by 21.43%, and peer discussion groups by 11.90%.

In terms of efficacy, most providers believed their counseling was very effective in influencing their patients’ decision to get an RSV vaccine, with a rate of 42.86%. This was followed by somewhat effective at 26.19%, extremely effective at 19.05%, not so effective at 9.52%, and not at all effective at 2.38%.

Factors respondents consider when providing RSV counseling to their patients include efficacy, side effects, and risks to the fetus. Availability was also a factor, and one respondent noted that some manufacturers discourage patients from receiving the vaccine.

Some providers also considered cost as an important factor when counseling patients about RSV vaccination. This is often dependent on insurance coverage, as it often determines where they can be vaccinated.

One respondent recommended counseling be given to all patients, as very few will have contraindications, and some may have personal benefits. The respondent stated patients will be more interested in RSV vaccination than influenza vaccination because of knowing someone whose child was ill from RSV or having their own child be ill.

For infant immunization, relevant factors included the safety and efficacy, cost, and availability at the hospital or pediatrics office. Patients’ attitudes toward vaccinations should also be considered.