WDMH included in COVID-19 research project

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By Nick Seebruch
WDMH included in COVID-19 research project
The Winchester District Memorial Hospital (Photo : WDMH)

WINCHESTER, Ontario – The Winchester District Memorial Hospital (WDMH) is being included in a study being led by the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Ottawa aimed at developing communication strategies for COVID-19 to combat vaccine hesitancy.

The study titled A tailored automated COVID vaccine communication strategy to build primary care providers’ capacity to address vaccine hesitancy among their patients is being funded by Public Health Canada with $450,000.

“WDMH’s research program focuses on always asking ‘why’ and ‘how we can do this better’ for rural populations,” said Cholly Boland, WDMH CEO. “Supporting our local communities during COVID-19 is a top priority.”

The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) will participate in the study which will involve 300 family doctors and nurse practitioners from across the country to develop messaging for those who might be hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

“This pan-Canadian trial helps family physicians identify which of their patients have not yet been vaccinated and then provides a tailored digital intervention by e-mail and text messages to provide them with appropriate information,” said Dr. Mohamed Gazarin, WDMH’s Chief Research Officer and one of the investigators of the study.

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