Qualitative study of clinic staff members' experiences using an immunization registry

OBJECTIVES: To examine individual clinic staff members\' experiences with using an immunization registry and to compare staff members\' perceptions of immunization registries across different provider sites. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey using in-depth interviews and direct observation. SETTINGS: The pediatric department of an urban community health center and 2 urban hospital-based pediatric primary care clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five subjects were recruited using maximum variation sampling at each site. The subjects included clerks- clinic assistants- licensed practical nurses- a nurse practitioner- and registered nurses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinic staff members\' perceptions of an immunization registry and frequency of registry use. RESULTS: Differences were observed in subjects\' perceptions of an immunization registry across provider sites. Although most subjects had positive attitudes toward the registry- they did not necessarily believe that the registry decreased their workload. The ability to access immunization registry data and actual use of the registry seem to be related to training of clinic personnel- location of the registry terminal- and helpfulness and availability of registry staff. CONCLUSION: Obtaining the opinions of immunization registry users is an important strategy to evaluate the usefulness of a registry in a site and target possible areas for improvement.