Collective Emotion to Guide Clinicians and Public Health—When Evidence Is Not Enough
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By
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Anish K. Agarwal
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Rachel Solnick
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June 1, 2026
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Clinical Scorecard: Harnessing Collective Emotions to Inform Healthcare Professionals and Public Health Strategies—Beyond Just Evidence
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | |
| Key Mechanisms | Emotional responses to vaccine administration, including joy, anger, and fear. |
| Target Population | |
| Care Setting | |
Key Highlights
- Emotional responses to vaccine rollout varied significantly by community context.
- Increased joy and anger were observed post-vaccine administration, with a decline in fear.
- Political identity influenced emotional responses to the vaccine.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Recognize the emotional landscape surrounding vaccine uptake.
Management
- Engage with patients by acknowledging and addressing their emotional responses.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Utilize social media data to track public sentiment and emotional trends.
Risks
- Unaddressed anger may undermine clinician-patient relationships and public health efforts.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Individuals receiving or considering COVID-19 vaccination.
Clinical Best Practices
- Incorporate emotional context into public health messaging.
- Use trusted local messengers to communicate health interventions.
Related Resources & Content
