Representations of Research among Newly Graduated Paramedical Professionals: A Qualitative Study

Despite a keen interest in clinical research, most paramedical professionals are unwilling to play an active role. Our objective was to explore paramedical professionals' representations of research. Using an existing database of final year paramedical students (speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychomotricity, audiometry, physiotherapy, orthoptics), we deployed a qualitative approach composed of two successive steps: (1) a free word association task, and (2) semi-structured individual interviews. Out of the 54 students who agreed to be contacted, we received 21 responses to the free word association questionnaire, and 11 interviews were conducted. The hierarchical evocation matrix revealed that the scientific representation of research is based on words defining the research and the purpose of the research. "Collaboration" was identified as being an essential part of the research process. The central core of the representation is coherent with all its components perceived as positive. The content analysis of the interviews showed a polarization around two key points: (1) participants are interested in accessing and using evidence in their practice (2) but feel less confident about and/or motivated to generate evidence themselves. This study highlights the need to develop more research-friendly environments, especially in training institutions.

How French adolescents use images to represent HPV vaccination (during school-based workshops) adolescents and HPV vaccination

OBJECTIVE

In this study we investigated adolescent students' (13-15 years old) social representations of the vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) by analysing their iconographic productions of the vaccination.

DESIGN

A qualitative study with workshops was set up in three volunteer schools. Student groups created a total of 27 posters about the vaccination.

RESULTS

Two types of messages emerged: the first presented vaccination as a means of preventing cancer, while the second presented it as a means of promoting sexual health.

CONCLUSION

The choice between using one message type or the other seemed to stem from the fact that students appropriated the subject of the workshops differently.

Social representations of mandatory vaccination in patients and general practitioners in Moselle, France

Vaccine controversies affect the image of vaccination. At the end of 2014, there was a shortage of tetra- and pentavalent vaccines, although immunization obligation was being discussed. Our objective in this context was to study the social representations of mandatory vaccination in general practitioners and patients. Thirty general practitioners and 30 patients were recruited for this study based on hierarchal evocation. Each provided seven associations, which were revealed spontaneously in response to the evocation of the inductive concept: "mandatory vaccination". An order of importance and a connotation were attributed to them. These associations were classified into subthemes and themes. For each, the frequency of occurrence, the median rank of importance, and the polarity index were calculated and then compared. The image of vaccination was positive (polarity index from doctors and patients: +0.22 and +0.24, respectively). The doctors mentioned first the organization of the vaccine follow-up (21.9%). For patients, the benefits of vaccination predominated (22.38%), although these benefits were considered more important by the doctors. Doctors raised vaccine controversies more frequently than patients and were more concerned with the practical aspects of vaccination (injection, pain). The current controversies have not eroded the representations of mandatory vaccination. However, doctors are critical towards the media and vaccination policy. Patients, on the other hand, are afraid of side effects and do not have complete confidence in vaccination. Immunization obligation does not appear to be challenged by either of the two populations. To sustain immunization, our main asset remains communication and information to patients.

Patients' high acceptability of a future therapeutic HIV vaccine in France: a French paradox?

Background

France is the European country with the lowest level of confidence in vaccines. Measurement of patients’ acceptability towards a future therapeutic HIV vaccine is critically important. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate patients’ acceptability of a future therapeutic HIV vaccine in a representative cohort of French patients living with HIV-AIDS (PLWHs).

Methods

This multicentre study used quantitative and qualitative methods to assess PLWHs’ opinions and their potential acceptance of a future therapeutic HIV vaccine. Cross-sectional study on 220 HIV-1 infected outpatients, aged 18–75 years.

Results

The participants’ characteristics were similar to those of the overall French PLWH population. Responses from the questionnaires showed high indices of acceptance: the mean score for acceptability on the Visual Analog Scale VAS was 8.4 of 10, and 92% of patients agreed to be vaccinated if a therapeutic vaccine became available. Acceptability depended on the expected characteristics of the vaccine, notably the duration of its effectiveness: 44% of participants expected it to be effective for life. This acceptance was not associated with socio-demographic, clinical (mode of contamination, duration of disease), quality of life, or illness-perception parameters. Acceptability was also strongly correlated with confidence in the treating physician.

Conclusion

The PLWHs within our cohort had high indices of acceptance to a future therapeutic HIV vaccine.

Trial registration

This study was retroactively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov with ID: NCT02077101 in February 21, 2014.