Breakthrough infections and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine boosters: A survey analysis.

Objective: This Short Communication explores the effect of COVID-19 breakthrough infections (defined as a COVID-19 diagnosis after vaccination) on the willingness of previously vaccinated individuals to receive ongoing vaccine boosters. Specifically, we examine unique effects for three different breakthrough infection experiences, including the participant themselves, a close member of their family, and a friend/coworker. Methods: A representative, web-based survey of 600 adults in the state of Florida was fielded in March/April of 2022. Among the respondents, 455 had been vaccinated against COVID-19. Their responses were analyzed for this study using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results: Individuals who have experienced a personal breakthrough infection are two times less likely to receive annual vaccine boosters, ceteris paribus. However, there is not a statistically significant relationship between vaccine acceptance and breakthrough infections among close family members or friends/coworkers. We also found a very strong relationship between vaccine decisions and confidence in public health guidance. Conclusion: Our findings show that confidence in public health guidelines is the most compelling determinant of vaccine acceptance, but breakthrough infections also have a significant impact on individual decision making when it comes to ongoing vaccination. Going forward, public health messaging should directly account for this correlation in order to effectively maintain vaccination levels. Innovation: The COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point in the development and deployment of mRNA vaccines. This study contributes to innovation in health communication research by examining how breakthrough infections in these vaccinated individuals impacts ongoing booster shot acceptance. The findings of this study contribute to the nascent and ongoing development of baseline research in this area.

Worry About COVID-19, Acquiring Health Information, and Communication Resilience Processes: Creating Resilience During the First Wave of the U.S. Pandemic.

Integrating concepts from the communication theory of resilience (CTR) with theories of health information management and media-stimulated interpersonal conversation, this study investigates associations between worry about COVID-19, acquiring health information from government, news, and personal sources, and enactment of resilience processes. Findings from a representative sample (N = 600) of Floridians show that the extent to which people worried that they or their loves ones might contract COVID-19 during the first wave of the pandemic predicted the extent to which they reported getting health information from a range of news (e.g. national and local newspapers) and personal (e.g. family, friends/coworkers) sources. A serial multiple mediator model found that worry about COVID-19 was associated with acquiring information about COVID from news sources, which predicted getting information about COVID from personal sources, which in turn predicted enactment of resilience processes. Discussion centers on the role that emotions as well as information management at multiple levels (e.g. media, close relationships) play in people's attempts to enact resilience in the context of a public health emergency.

Assessing Patient Satisfaction: Using the Radiation Oncology Patient Satisfaction [ROPS] Questionnaire in a Private Practice Setting.

A new patient satisfaction measure called the Radiation Oncology Patient Satisfaction (ROPS) questionnaire is used in this study to measure satisfaction data for radiation oncology in private practice. Limitations of existing literature on patient satisfaction demonstrated a need to develop a questionnaire that was more tailored to analyze patient satisfaction among those utilizing private oncology centers within the U.S. healthcare system. This need was met by this study's development of the ROPS questionnaire, which was a variation of 2 existing constructs that are presented in the text. The questionnaire was fielded among patients at a private cancer radiation treatment clinic in Florida (n = 950). Data analysis tested the psychometric properties of our revised construct and its predictive validity for 2 patient satisfaction outcomes: (1) likelihood of recommending this treatment center to family members/close friends and (2) overall satisfaction with treatment. Each of the ROPS variables were found to make a legitimate contribution to evaluating patients' overall satisfaction with radiation treatment. Findings indicated organizational setting was of vital importance when conducting patient- centered research on satisfaction. Treatment factors in ROPS can be adjusted to measure satisfaction with chemotherapy or other modalities in addition to radiation treatment. Authors recommend radiation oncology clinics regularly monitor patient satisfaction, especially if/when they experience organizational changes, such as when a new physician joins the practice or if/when the national or local landscape undergoes significant shifts in norms and expectations like we have seen happen with COVID-19.

Receptiveness of American adults to COVID-19 vaccine boosters: A survey analysis.

Objective: This Short Communication report summarizes results from a recent survey on the willingness of American adults to accept COVID-19 vaccine boosters. We seek to identify evolving hesitancies and objections to booster shots among those who previously accepted vaccination. Methods: A representative, web-based survey of 600 adults in the State of Florida was fielded, and the results are analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results: The survey responses show that while booster shot hesitancy is relatively low among vaccinated Americans, nearly a third (30.4%) say that they are only somewhat likely or less to receive a vaccine booster shot. Statistical analysis shows that trust in public health guidance is the driving factor behind booster shot hesitancy, while significant differences also exist based on race and level of education. The most frequently cited objections to booster shots include concerns over the necessity of additional shots and adverse reactions to the initial vaccination. Conclusion: Objections to booster shots highlight emerging communications challenges that health professional will need to consider and address as vaccine guidance continues to evolve. Innovation: This study contributes to innovation in health communications by identifying emerging challenges and barriers in the ongoing effort to promote COVID-19 vaccination.