Provider Communication Regarding Childhood Vaccines: An Educational Module

Abstract

Vaccine development in the last two hundred years has aided in the reduction of disease, illness, and mortality in a cost-effective manner. Vaccination starts at birth, and the majority of vaccines are received during childhood. Although improvements in childhood vaccination rates in the United States (U.S.) have been made, vaccine rates are still inadequate (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2015b). The goal of Healthy People 2020 is to have vaccination rates for each vaccine at or greater than 90% (HealthyPeople.gov, 2017). The recommendation for vaccination from a healthcare provider has been shown to play a vital part in parental decisions regarding vaccines for their children. Effective communication can positively affect immunization rates (CDC, 2015b). Based on the need for enhanced awareness regarding childhood vaccines and communication with the patients / parents, a continuing education module was created and implemented in collaboration with the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Continuing Education (AANP CE) Center. Accreditation was received by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the module was made available to online viewers on the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDOH) immunization website. The module included information on factors contributing to the childhood vaccination rates, barriers, communication styles, healthcare provider interventions that affect childhood vaccinations, and effective communication styles for healthcare providers. The co-investigator found that the results enhanced confidence in provider practice when discussing childhood vaccinations with parents. Pretest, posttest, and evaluation questions were used to evaluate the effectiveness and understanding of the educational module. Data were collected from a total of 16 participants that completed the all aspects of the educational module. The co-investigator found an increase in knowledge as a result of the educational module. All objectives were met, as the participants scored higher on the posttest when compared to the pretest questions on all four objectives. These results showed an increase in the ability to recognize factors contributing to childhood vaccination rates; identify barriers, communication styles, and healthcare provider interventions that affect childhood vaccines; suggest effective communication styles for healthcare providers; and report enhanced confidence in provider practice when discussing childhood vaccines with parents.