Patient Education & Counseling (2023)
Authors: Christy J.W. Ledford, Zachary Harrison, Tao Li Stein, Sandya V. Vikram, Lillie D. Williamson, Grant C. Whitebloom, Dean A. Seehusen
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to explain the relationship among education, likelihood to vaccinate for COVID-19, and trust in healthcare providers among patients living with diabetes in the American South. Analysis of covariance revealed that severity of diabetes was not linked to vaccine acceptance. Overall, patients reported higher likelihood to vaccinate if their healthcare providers strongly recommend the vaccine. People with “some college” education reported lowest likelihood to vaccinate, before and after their healthcare providers’ strong recommendation. Integrated analysis revealed the complexity of patient-provider trust and vaccination decisions. In the context of COVID vaccination, particularly as conspiracy theories entered the mainstream, measures of trust in the system may be a clearer indicator of vaccine decision making than trust in personal physician.