HPV vaccine information-seeking behaviors among US physicians: government, media, or colleagues?

The multiple information sources available may pose a challenge to physicians in providing accurate human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine information to patients. The purpose of this study was to describe physicians' HPV vaccine information-seeking behaviors and assess if these behaviors differ by physician specialty and sociodemographic characteristics. In 2009, 1008 Family Physicians (FPs), Pediatricians (Peds), and Obstetricians/Gynecologists (OBGYNs) completed a survey to assess their HPV vaccine information-seeking behaviors and vaccination practices. The largest proportion obtained HPV vaccine information from professional organizations (50.0%), followed by the Advisory Council on Immunization Practices (ACIP) (36.0%), and medical conferences (33.1%). Peds and FPs were more likely to obtain vaccine information from the ACIP (p-values<0.05). OBGYNs, non-White/Caucasian physicians, and those aged 40-49 were more likely to obtain vaccine information from internet websites (p-values<0.05). There is a need for targeted HPV vaccine communication approaches based on sociodemographic and physician specialty characteristics.