Establishing physician advocates for human papillomavirus vaccination in British Columbia.

OBJECTIVE To survey general practitioners in oncology (GPOs) in British Columbia (BC) to identify opportunities for them to serve as public supporters of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. DESIGN A mailed or online survey. SETTING British Columbia. PARTICIPANTS Forty-two GPOs who worked in the community in BC. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Current practices, knowledge, and resource needs concerning HPV, the vaccine, and the HPV immunization program, and the willingness of respondents to be contacted to participate in stated public HPV vaccine supporter activities. RESULTS The survey found that 42% of surveyed GPOs were willing to act as public supporters of the HPV vaccine. The survey also identified education needs among GPOs concerning HPV, the vaccine, and the HPV immunization program in BC. CONCLUSION This study found that GPOs in BC are willing to publicly support the HPV immunization program. This study shows that involving physicians in the promotion of public health programs is a viable option that should be further explored and evaluated.