Role of health care professionals in preventative activities and vaccination programs during outbreaks.

PURPOSE: The general purpose of TELL ME study was to give an insight into the experiences of European family physicians with management of H1N1 pandemic flu.

METHODS

Qualitative research methods (focus group discussions, one-to-one interviews, and online data collection) were used to explore family doctors' opinion and suggestions. Overall 158 family physicians took part in the study from six European countries.

RESULTS

Family doctors' most important experience was that the official campaign was not able to compensate negative effects of the mass media. Due to the poor evidence-based information about new vaccines, it was difficult to convince the public and some health care professionals too. Lack of unified directives - under unclear circumstances - made the routine patient care more difficult and hampered the collaboration between different health care providers. Family physicians felt a pressure from health authorities to achieve high immunization rate, but got only a little support from them. Despite the difficulties, vaccination program was a success, mainly among high-risk population. For better handling of a future pandemic, Hungarian family physician made many general and practical suggestions.