(1014) Identifying Gaps in Knowledge and Patient Communication Among Healthcare Providers in the United States: Factors Associated with Increased Risk of Severe COVID-19 Outcomes

Objectives: In February 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated guidance on factors associated with higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Accurate interpretation of CDC guidance by healthcare providers (HCPs) is vital to identify and support management of high risk patients. This study assessed concordance of HCP risk perceptions with CDC guidance and examined how HCPs communicate risk to patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted (5/17-6/7/23) with a convenience sample of US HCPs with an active license. Those with a Doctor of Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine must have written ≥1 prescription (past 30 days). HCPs reported on demographic and practice characteristics, risk perceptions of pre-specified medical conditions and patient characteristics, consideration of social determinants of health (SDOH), and approaches used to communicate risk to patients. Descriptive statistics and bivariate comparisons were reported.

Results: Overall, 1,004 HCPs participated (57% male; 51% PCPs; median=12 years in practice). Over 90% of HCPs classified 34 of 36 pre-specified high risk conditions consistent with CDC guidance. For 2 high risk conditions (mood disorders and schizophrenia), < 80% of HCPs classified them as high risk. Most HCPs perceived age ≥50 years (≥98%), living in a long-term care facility (100%), and being unvaccinated or vaccinated but not up to date (>95%) as high risk characteristics. Regarding SDOH, relative to Non-Hispanic Whites, 32% of HCPs perceived Non-Hispanic Asian as a high risk factor, inconsistent with CDC guidance. Significantly more PCPs than specialists perceived 10 conditions as high risk; 4 of which were inconsistent with CDC guidance. HCPs communicated more with patients they perceived to be at high risk (vs. not), irrespective of their perception of patients’ risk awareness.

Conclusions: When prompted, HCPs identified high risk conditions for severe COVID-19 per CDC guidance more often than those without conclusive or suggestive evidence of high risk. Findings highlight opportunities for HCPs to proactively communicate with high risk patients to ensure they are informed of ways to reduce their risk and protect their health.