Abstract
AIM: The aim of the study was to investigate motivation and stress factors related to the COVID-19 vaccination campaign among outpatient physicians and medical assistants in Germany. METHODS: In a quantitative, non-representative online survey, a total of 514 physicians and MFAs from different or the same practice were asked about reasons for and barriers to participation in the vaccination campaign, organizational conditions - including vaccine supply and availability - and workload. RESULTS: 70.3% of the respondents were physicians and 28.8% were medical assistants. In both occupational groups, the majority were from North Rhine-Westphalia (73.7% in total). The main motivations for participating in the vaccination campaign were to contribute to the fight against the pandemic (92.3%) and to advance the vaccination campaign (90.1%). For 94.6% of respondents, workload had increased since the vaccination campaign began in April 2021. Key stress factors were increased bureaucratic workload (92.5%), scheduling appointments for vaccinations (91%), patient inquiries (90.3%), and extra work/overtime (83%). Too much bureaucracy (69.6%) was the most frequently cited reason for not participating in the vaccination campaign. CONCLUSION: A large number of practices are making a key contribution to combating the pandemic by participating in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, but this is also associated with a high workload situation. This is exacerbated by the dynamics of the infectious event and frequently changing demands and policy requirements on vaccinating practices. There is a strong desire for a uniform and less bureaucratic approach.