Kimberly Fisher

I am a practicing pulmonary/critical care physician and health services researcher. As an attending physician in a busy outpatient pulmonary practice, I have gained practical insights into the challenges of communicating with patients who are reluctant to be vaccinated. In addition, I have firsthand experience taking care of hospitalized patients with COVID-19, including in the intensive care unit (ICU).

My research has been broadly aimed at improving the quality and patient-centeredness of healthcare in medicine, with a focus on improving patient-provider communication and increasing the uptake of evidence- based practices. I have led and collaborated on numerous studies examining patient-provider communication using both qualitative and quantitative methods. I have used an experimental survey approach to test healthcare provider communication strategies following breakdowns in care. I have developed and administered surveys on a range of topics in healthcare including public attitudes towards a SARS CoV-2 vaccine. In addition to describing the attitudes of US adults towards a potential SARS CoV-2 vaccine, I have also examined healthcare system approaches to increasing vaccination coverage.