Impact of the Ottawa Influenza Decision Aid on healthcare personnel's influenza immunization decision: a randomized trial

Abstract

Background: Influenza immunization for healthcare personnel reduces frequency and severity of nosocomial influenza outbreaks and influenza-associated morbidity and mortality among patients. The Ottawa Influenza Decision Aid (OIDA) was developed to assist undecided healthcare workers in deciding whether or not to be immunized.

Aim: To assess the impact of the OIDA, and to ascertain whether its use would increase the level of confidence in healthcare workers' influenza immunization decision and positively affect their intent to be immunized.

Methods: Single-centre, single-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial.

Findings: Eight per cent (151 of 1886) of the unimmunized healthcare personnel were randomized. Of 107 eligible respondents, 48 were in the Ottawa Influenza Decision Aid (OIDA) group and 59 in the control group. A statistically significant (P = 0.020) greater improvement in confidence in immunization decision was observed in the OIDA group compared with the control group. Whereas the odds of changing intent to be immunized from 'no/unsure' to 'yes' was 2.4 times greater in the OIDA group, this result did not reach statistical significance after adjusting for intent to be immunized at baseline. The post-OIDA intent to be immunized in the OIDA and control groups compared to the pre-OIDA intent to be immunized showed that the OIDA had a significant effect on reducing uncertainty (P = 0.035).

Conclusions: Using an accessible, balanced, understandable format for all healthcare personnel about their influenza immunization decision appears to have an impact on both healthcare personnel's confidence in their immunization decision and in their intent to be immunized.