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University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository

University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository

Specialty

Internal Medicine

Advisor

Dr Thomas Colletti

Abstract

Abstract

Objectives: To inform Physician Assistants (PAs) on the current state, challenges, and available opportunities relating to influenza among the elderly patients aged 65 years and above.

Methods: The article is a clinical CME review. The researcher used Google search engine to search for articles from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Ebsco Information Services, and the PubMed Central (PMC) medical databases. A total of 121 articles were obtained from the databases during the initial search. Only nine articles were selected for the review, with the rest failing to meet the selection criteria.

Results: Of the nine articles included in the study, three were systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), two were quasi-experimental studies, and 4 were descriptive evidence-based analyses. Of the nine articles, five articles focused on influenza vaccines, while four focused on the effects and burden of influenza among the elderly patients aged 65 years and above.

Conclusion: Influenza continues to be a major cause of mortality for elderly patients, especially for patients with underlying conditions. The current vaccines that are in use are not effective for persons aged 65 years and above. Healthcare workers (HCWs) should be role models in championing for the uptake of vaccines by people within the age brackets for which vaccines are effective.

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