Assessing medical mistrust in organ donation across countries using item response theory

Although medical mistrust (MM) may be an impediment to public health interventions, no MM scale has been validated across countries and the assessment of MM has not been explored using item response theory, which allows generalisation beyond the sampled data. We aimed to determine the dimensionality of a brief MM measure across four countries through Mokken analysis and Graded Response Modelling. Analysis of 1468 participants from UK ( n = 1179), Ireland ( n = 191), India ( n = 49) and Malaysia (n = 49) demonstrated that MM items formed a hierarchical, unidimensional measure, which is very informative about high levels of MM. Possible item reduction and scoring changes were also demonstrated. This study demonstrates that this brief MM measure is suitable for international studies as it is unidimensional across countries, cross cultural, and shows that minor adjustments will not impact on the assessment of MM when using these items.

What Do Placebo and Nocebo Effects Have to Do With Health Equity? The Hidden Toll of Nocebo Effects on Racial and Ethnic Minority Patients in Clinical Care

A placebo effect is a positive clinical response to non-specific elements of treatment with a sham or inert replica of a drug, device, or surgical intervention. There is considerable evidence that placebo effects are driven by expectation of benefit from the intervention. Expectation is shaped by a patient’s past experience, observations of the experience of others, and written, verbal, or non-verbal information communicated during treatment. Not surprisingly, expectation in the clinical setting is strongly influenced by the attitude, affect, and communication style of the healthcare provider. While positive expectations can produce beneficial effects, negative information and experiences can lead to negative expectations, and consequently negative or nocebo effects. Key components identified and studied in the placebo and nocebo literature intersect with factors identified as barriers to quality care in the clinical setting for Black patients and other patients of color, including poor patient-clinician communication, medical mistrust, and perceived discrimination. Thus, in the context of discrimination and bias, the absence of placebo and presence of nocebo-generating influences in clinical settings could potentially reinforce racial and ethnic inequities in clinical outcomes and care. Healthcare inequities have consequences that ripple through the medical system, strengthening adverse short- and long-term outcomes. Here, we examine the potential for the presence of nocebo effects and absence of placebo effects to play a role in contributing to negative outcomes related to unequal treatment in the clinical encounter.

Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among residents of Northern California jails

Background: Carceral facilities are high-risk settings for COVID-19 transmission. Understanding of factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among incarcerated individuals is incomplete, especially for people living in jails. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of COVID-19 vaccination data from the electronic health record (EHR) of residents in two Northern California county jails to examine factors associated with vaccine uptake in this population. We additionally administered a survey in four jails to assess reasons for vaccine hesitancy, sources of COVID-19 information, and medical mistrust. We performed multivariate logistic regression to determine associations with vaccine uptake or hesitancy. Results: Of 2,584 jail residents offered a COVID-19 vaccine between March 19, 2021 and June 30, 2021, 1,464 (56.7%) accepted at least one dose. Among vaccinated residents, 538 (36.7%) initially refused the vaccine. Vaccine uptake was higher among older individuals, women, those with recent flu vaccination, and those living in shared cells or open dorms. Leading reasons for vaccine hesitancy included concerns around side effects and suboptimal efficacy. Television and friends/family were the most commonly cited and the most trusted sources of COVID-19 information, respectively. Vaccine acceptance was associated with increased trust in COVID-19 information sources and in medical personnel both in and out of jail. Conclusion: Ongoing evidence-based COVID-19 vaccination efforts are needed in high-risk carceral settings. Effective interventions to improve vaccination rates in this population should utilize accessible and trusted sources of information to address concerns about vaccine side effects and efficacy and foster medical trust.

The Mediating Roles of Medical Mistrust, Knowledge, Confidence and Complacency of Vaccines in the Pathways from Conspiracy Beliefs to Vaccine Hesitancy

Background: Vaccine hesitancy, associated with medical mistrust, confidence, complacency and knowledge of vaccines, presents an obstacle to the campaign against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The relationship between vaccine hesitancy and conspiracy beliefs may be a key determinant of the success of vaccination campaigns. This study provides a conceptual framework to explain the impact of pathways from conspiracy beliefs to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy with regard to medical mistrust, confidence, complacency and knowledge of vaccines. Methods: A non-probability study was conducted with 1015 respondents between 17 April and 28 May 2021. Conspiracy beliefs were measured using the coronavirus conspiracy scale of Coronavirus Explanations, Attitudes, and Narratives Survey (OCEANS), and vaccine conspiracy beliefs scale. Medical mistrust was measured using the Oxford trust in doctors and developers questionnaire, and attitudes to doctors and medicine scale. Vaccine confidence and complacency were measured using the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine confidence and complacency scale. Knowledge of vaccines was measured using the vaccination knowledge scale. Vaccine hesitancy was measured using the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy scale. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate the measurement models for conspiracy beliefs, medical mistrust, confidence, complacency, and knowledge of vaccines and vaccine hesitancy. The structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was used to analyze the direct and indirect pathways from conspiracy beliefs to vaccine hesitancy. Results: Of the 894 (88.1%) respondents who were willing to take the COVID-19 vaccine without any hesitancy, the model fit with the CFA models for conspiracy beliefs, medical mistrust, confidence, complacency and knowledge of vaccines, and vaccine hesitancy was deemed acceptable. Conspiracy beliefs had significant direct (β = 0.294), indirect (β = 0.423) and total (β = 0.717) effects on vaccine hesitancy; 41.0% of the total effect was direct, and 59.0% was indirect. Conspiracy beliefs significantly predicted vaccine hesitancy by medical mistrust (β = 0.210), confidence and complacency (β = 0.095), knowledge (β = 0.079) of vaccines, explaining 29.3, 11.0, and 13.2% of the total effects, respectively. Conspiracy beliefs significantly predicted vaccine hesitancy through the sequential mediation of knowledge of vaccines and medical mistrust (β = 0.016), explaining 2.2% of the total effects. Conspiracy beliefs significantly predicted vaccine hesitancy through the sequential mediation of confidence and complacency, and knowledge of vaccines (β = 0.023), explaining 3.2% of the total effects. The SEM approach indicated an acceptable model fit (χ2/df = 2.464, RMSEA = 0.038, SRMR = 0.050, CFI = 0.930, IFI = 0.930). Conclusions: The sample in this study showed lower vaccine hesitancy, and this study identified pathways from conspiracy beliefs to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in China. Conspiracy beliefs had direct and indirect effects on vaccine hesitancy, and the indirect association was determined through medical mistrust, confidence, complacency, and knowledge of vaccines. In addition, both direct and indirect pathways from conspiracy beliefs to vaccine hesitancy were identified as intervention targets to reduce COVID–19 vaccine hesitancy.

87. Infectious Disease Diversity, Equity, and Antiracism (ID2EA): A Dedicated Curriculum for Infectious Disease Professionals

Background Systemic bias in the health care system has adverse effects on health outcomes. Educational programs examining the relationship between structural racism and health inequities are needed to translate knowledge into equitable care. The Yale School of Medicine Infectious Disease (ID) Section designed and piloted an innovative Infectious Disease Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism (ID2EA) curriculum to better understand and confront these issues. Methods The ID Section collaborated with pedagogical experts to create a curriculum. A baseline survey of ID faculty and trainees was used to gauge relevant knowledge, attitudes, skills, and topics of interest to participants. The curriculum was designed as a “roadmap” of interactive sessions (“roadmap stops”) focused on topics identified by respondents. Evaluations were performed after events to guide curriculum development and monitor its acceptance and effectiveness. Results All respondents (n=28) to the baseline survey agreed that discussion of race and ethnicity should be integrated into medical training. Most respondents (96%) had experience or knowledge of racial microaggressions in the workplace. Fewer (75%) felt comfortable talking to patients about race and only 68% felt confident teaching learners how to decrease bias in care. The survey identified topics of highest priority to participants, including building trust with patients (75%), providing racially sensitive care (68%) and establishing dialogue with community members (57%). Roadmap stops were constructed based on these priorities, with sessions on race-based medical experimentation and inequities, racial segregation and its impact on health, medical mistrust, and a skill building session on improving patient-centered communication. On follow-up surveys (n=18-28), most participants (93%) saw the sessions as a valuable way to spend time and the majority (91%) reported an impact on their understanding of racism in healthcare; specific changes in thinking were qualitatively coded. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate the positive impact of a curriculum to help understand racism and inequities in medicine. Building and implementing a diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism curriculum in ID sections is feasible, beneficial, and valued. Disclosures Jaimie Meyer, MD, Gilead Sciences (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Sheela Shenoi, MD, MPH, Merck (Other Financial or Material Support, SS’s spouse worked for Merck pharmaceuticals 1997-2007 and retains company stock in his retirement account. There is no conflict of interest, but it is included in the interest of full disclosure.) Marjorie Golden, MD, Iterum Pharmaceuticals (Consultant)

574. High Acceptance and Rapid Implementation of COVID-19 Vaccine in a Public HIV Clinic in Northern California: An Initial Analysis of Social Determinants

Background Safety net HIV providers face operational challenges during the COVID pandemic with services often transformed to telehealth. HIV infected persons are a priority population for SARS CoV-2 vaccination. Medical mistrust of COVID vaccines has been cited as a contributor to vaccine hesitancy. Data on efficient and successful vaccination efforts of HIV infected persons in safety net health systems is needed. In San Mateo County, Latino persons comprised 42% of all COVID cases, Whites 16%, and African Americans 2%. Methods SARS CoV2 vaccination with BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech), mRNA-1273 (Moderna) or Ad26.COV2.S (Janssen) vaccine were offered beginning February 2, 2021 through May 28, 2021 in a northern California public County HIV clinic. Clinic patients were contacted by bilingual English/Spanish speaking HIV clinic staff and appointments scheduled at County affiliated vaccination sites. Clinic staff followed up by phone with patients who did not initially accept vaccine. We calculate the percentage of patients who completed vaccine series and use multivariable logistic regression analysis to estimate the odds of series completion by patient race/ethnicity, gender and age. Results Virtually all, 95% (349/365) of HIV patients in our County HIV clinic were offered vaccine during a 17 week period. Among those, 86% (313/365) accepted and received at least one dose and 80% completed the series (292/365) at time of this analysis. Janssen vaccine was given to only 2% (7/313) patients. Series completion was highest among Latinos and Asians. Latinos had the highest odds of vaccine series completion (OR = 4.12; 95% CI 1.71 - 9.93). COVID-19 Vaccine Series Completion in a California Public HIV Clinic by Race/Ethnicity, Age and Sexual Orientation, n=364 Conclusion HIV patients offered SARS CoV2 vaccine by County HIV clinic staff with established patient care relationships had high vaccine acceptance (80%), comparable to 68% series completion in the county overall and 56% in the health equity quartile county census tracts. Latino HIV infected persons were most likely to complete the COVID vaccine series. Ryan White funded HIV clinics are ideal hubs to coordinate HIV patient COVID vaccination efforts. Adding COVID vaccine completion to HIV clinic performance measures would likely be beneficial. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures