Evaluation of the Implementation of a Multicomponent Intervention to Improve Health Care Provider Communication About Human Papillomavirus Vaccination

Development of PIVOT with MI: A motivational Interviewing-Based vaccine communication training for pediatric clinicians

Delay or refusal of childhood vaccines is common and may be increasing. Pediatricians are parents' most trusted source for vaccine information, yet many struggle with how to communicate with parents who resist recommended vaccines. Evidence-based communication strategies for vaccine conversations are lacking. In this manuscript, we describe the development and perceived usefulness of a curriculum to train clinicians on a specific vaccine communication strategy as part of the PIVOT with MI study, a cluster randomized trial testing the effectiveness of this communication strategy on increasing childhood vaccination uptake among 24 pediatric practices in Colorado and Washington. The communication strategy is based on the existing evidence-based communication strategies of a presumptive format for initiating vaccine conversations and use of motivational interviewing if hesitancy persists. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews with pediatric clinicians helped inform the development of the training curriculum, which consisted of an introductory video module followed by 3 training sessions. Between September 2019 and January 2021, 134 pediatric clinicians (92 pediatricians, 42 advanced practice providers) participated in the training as part of the PIVOT with MI study. Of these, 92 % viewed an introductory video module, 93 % attended or viewed a baseline synchronous training, 82 % attended or viewed a 1st refresher training, and 77 % attended or viewed a 2nd refresher training. A follow-up survey was administered August 2020 through March 2021; among respondents (n = 100), >95 % of participants reported that each component of the training program was very or somewhat useful. These data suggest that the PIVOT with MI training intervention is a useful vaccine communication resource with the potential for high engagement among pediatric clinicians.

Clinician communication strategies associated with increased uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine: A systematic review

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is currently linked to almost 35,000 new cases of cancer in women and men each year in the United States. Gardasil-9 (Merck & Company), the only HPV vaccine now available in the United States, is nearly 100% effective at preventing precancers caused by oncogenic HPV types. In the United States, however, only about one half of adolescents are up to date with HPV vaccination. It is well known that health care clinicians' recommendations play a significant role in parents' decisions regarding HPV vaccination. A growing body of literature examines specific communication strategies for promoting uptake of the HPV vaccine. A comprehensive review of the evidence for each of these strategies is needed. The authors searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Web of Science Complete databases for original articles with a defined clinician communication strategy and an outcome of HPV vaccine uptake or intention to vaccinate (PROSPERO registry no. CRD42020107602). In total, 46 studies were included. The authors identified two main strategies with strong evidence supporting their positive impact on vaccine uptake: strong recommendation and presumptive recommendation. Determinations about a causal relationship were limited by the small numbers of randomized controlled trials. There is also opportunity for more research to determine the effects of motivational interviewing and cancer-prevention messaging.

A Clinical Educational Intervention to Increase HPV Vaccination Rates Among Pediatric Patients Through Enhanced Recommendations

INTRODUCTION

The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes largely preventable cancers by completing a vaccination series. However, pediatric HPV vaccination rates remain low. Current evidence indicates that integrating five factors creates a high-quality recommendation associated with higher HPV vaccination rates. This quality improvement project aimed to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention to improve the quality of providers' recommendations and subsequent vaccination rates.

METHOD

Using the Squire 2.0 Guidelines, clinical staff were observed during well-child visits (aged 11-12 years) before and after the intervention across three Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine encounters with mostly (n = 31; 80%) families of color. The quality of vaccine recommendations was improved after the intervention; however, vaccination rates did not increase for the 39 patients. Providers' delivery approach (presumptive vs. conversational) did increase vaccination rates.

DISCUSSION

Providers' delivery style appears to be important when making HPV vaccine recommendations.

Best shot: A motivational interviewing approach to address vaccine hesitancy in pediatric outpatient settings

BACKGROUND

Vaccine hesitancy in parents and childhood vaccine refusal is increasing. A standard of care to address this problem has not been identified.

PURPOSE

To identify if the use of motivational interviewing by pediatric providers during routine well child visits, when compared to standard of care, would increase vaccine rates in children 0-12 months of age. Factors associated with vaccine hesitancy were also investigated.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental study was completed on a convenience sample of pediatric providers (N = 6) and caregivers of children 0-12 months of age (N = 66). Four providers were trained to use motivational interviewing. During the well child visit the Parent Attitudes About Childhood Vaccines survey was completed, and the motivational interviewing intervention was implemented. Clinic's data were compared with other clinic data of non-trained providers.

FINDINGS

Vaccine refusal/delays rate was 11.4% among caregivers. Vaccine refusal rate decreased after the intervention (9.00% pre-intervention and 6.40% post-intervention). An ordinal regression identified caregivers with higher vaccine hesitancy scores and more children were more likely to delay or refuse vaccines, while caregivers ≥30 years or with high income were less likely to delay/refuse vaccines. A difference in difference analysis identified that an additional 2.6% of children received vaccines when seen by trained providers compared to non-trained (β = -0.330, OR = 0.719, p = 0.470).

DISCUSSION

Findings indicate a condensed motivational interviewing education session may be clinically significant in decreasing vaccine hesitancy among this population.

APPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE

A more robust study to confirm these findings is recommended prior to practice implementation.

Dental providers' perceptions of the feasibility and acceptability of implementing vaccine administration programs in dental settings: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVES

Involving dental offices in routine vaccinations could have a positive impact on public health. In this study, we assessed dental providers' attitudes and perceptions regarding implementing vaccination in dental settings.

METHODS

We performed semi-structured interviews with 31 dental providers (25 dentists and 6 dental hygienists) enrolled in the Western region of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network as of June 28, 2021. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. We analyzed transcripts using deductive and inductive coding approaches.

RESULTS

We identified three main themes that captured the perceptions of dental practitioners regarding the feasibility of implementing vaccine administration in a dental setting: (1) dental practitioners perceive contributing to the public health mission of disease prevention as having high value, (2) dental practitioners face considerable complexity when deciding whether to implement vaccine administration, and (3) dental practitioners do not understand current laws and associated reimbursement models related to vaccine administration.

CONCLUSIONS

To make vaccination commonplace in dental practices, legal changes to allow dental practitioners to administer vaccines should be followed by concrete guidance and relevant trainings to help interested dental practitioners successfully implement vaccination programs in their clinical settings.

U.S. Vietnamese parents' HPV vaccine decision-making for their adolescents: an exploration of practice-, provider-, and patient-level influences

U.S. Vietnamese have high cervical cancer incidence and low human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine initiation. Using the P3 model, we explored practice-, provider-, and patient-level determinants of U.S. Vietnamese parents’ HPV vaccine decision-making for their adolescents. We conducted a cross-sectional, online survey (04/2020–12/2020) with U.S. Vietnamese parents who had ≥ 1 adolescent ages 9–18. We assessed HPV vaccination outcomes (initiation, willingness to initiate, completion) and provider recommendation. Modified Poisson regressions were used to identify practice-, provider- and patient-level correlates of outcomes. The sample (n = 408) was 44 years old on average; 83% were female and 85% had a Bachelor’s degree. Around half of adolescents were female (51%) and 13–18 year old (54%). Only 41 and 23% of parents had initiated and completed the HPV vaccine series for their child, respectively. Initiation was associated with receiving provider recommendation (either low- or high-quality), while willingness to initiate was associated with receiving high-quality recommendation. Both initiation and willingness to initiate was negatively associated with parental perception that their child was too young for a “sexually transmitted infection (STI)-preventing vaccine.” Provider recommendation was associated with higher parental U.S. acculturation and the child being older and female. Provider-facing interventions should promote high-quality, age-based, gender-neutral HPV vaccine recommendation. These and population- and individual-facing interventions should recognize the need for additional parental education, particularly related to misconceptions regarding STI prevention.

Application of theoretical frameworks on human papillomavirus vaccine interventions in the United States: systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Theoretical frameworks are useful tools to explain the dynamics of behavioral change, develop, and implement intervention studies. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the application of theoretical frameworks and models to HPV vaccination intervention studies in the United States (US) from January 2006 to December 2019.

METHODS

A comprehensive search across databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, ERIC, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO, was conducted. Articles were included in the systematic analysis if at least one theory was used to develop the intervention phase. All intervention studies targeting populations in the US without restrictions of age, income, sex, and ethnicity were included. Articles were included in the meta-analysis if vaccine uptake and/or vaccine completion was addressed.

RESULTS

The Health Belief Model, Motivational Interviewing, Theory of Planned Behavior, and Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills were the most used theories. Based on theory integrity, theory rationale, and theory operationalization, most of the studies (60%) were rated high for the application of the theoretical frameworks. Our results suggest a preference for theoretical frameworks targeting individual change rather than community change and the existence of gender disparities in the application of theoretical frameworks. The association between theory and increase of likelihood in vaccine uptake and completion was not supported.

CONCLUSION

This review spotlights common issues in the application of theoretical frameworks in HPV vaccine interventions in the US. Our results suggest we are still in a developmental phase on several aspects of theory application to HPV vaccination.

Improving Vaccination for Young Children (IVY): A Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

High childhood vaccination rates are critical for public health. We hypothesized that implementation of a vaccine education and quality improvement (QI) program, Improving Vaccinations for Young Children (IVY), would improve childhood vaccine rates.

METHODS

Eight pediatric practices (3 academic-based, 5 community-based) were randomized to implement IVY within a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial (SWCRT) in middle Tennessee. Two educational modules on vaccines were developed using best practices in instructional design. Modules were provided electronically and were tailored to providers or office staff. Practices completed in-person QI coaching sessions and selected at least 2 vaccination-related QI changes. Data were collected monthly. The primary analysis examined intervention effect on the primary outcome of Combination 10 vaccination status for children who turned 2 in the previous month. Combination 10 status without influenza vaccine was a secondary outcome, and exploratory analyses assessed intervention effects after adjusting for time and practice type.

RESULTS

Data from 4041 patients (1788 control; 2253 intervention) were collected. The intervention effect was not significant on the primary outcome (OR = 1.01; 95% CI [0.76, 1.34]; P > .9), however there were positive intervention effects in secondary and exploratory models analyzing Combination10 rates without flu, including models adjusting for variation over time (0.20; 95% CI [0.04,0.35]; P = .01) and practice type (higher vaccination rate in academic practices, 0.23; 95% CI [0.03,0.42]; P = .03).

CONCLUSIONS

Combination 10 rates were not significantly improved with IVY, yet evidence of beneficial effect on rates without flu vaccine was found. Future studies could evaluate effects over a longer time period and within a larger practice sample.

Effect of Training Pediatric Clinicians in Human Papillomavirus Communication Strategies on Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Rates: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Missed opportunities for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination during pediatric health care visits are common.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of online communication training for clinicians on missed opportunities for HPV vaccination rates overall and at well-child care (WCC) visits and visits for acute or chronic illness (hereafter referred to as acute or chronic visits) and on adolescent HPV vaccination rates.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

From December 26, 2018, to July 30, 2019, a longitudinal cluster randomized clinical trial allocated practices to communication training vs standard of care in staggered 6-month periods. A total of 48 primary care pediatric practices in 19 states were recruited from the American Academy of Pediatrics Pediatric Research in Office Settings network. Participants were clinicians in intervention practices. Outcomes were evaluated for all 11- to 17-year-old adolescents attending 24 intervention practices (188 clinicians) and 24 control practices (177 clinicians). Analyses were as randomized and performed on an intent-to-treat basis, accounting for clustering by practice.

INTERVENTIONS

Three sequential online educational modules were developed to help participating clinicians communicate with parents about the HPV vaccine. Weekly text messages were sent to participating clinicians to reinforce learning. Statisticians were blinded to group assignment.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Main outcomes were missed opportunities for HPV vaccination overall and for HPV vaccine initiation and subsequent doses at WCC and acute or chronic visits (visit-level outcome). Secondary outcomes were HPV vaccination rates (person-level outcome). Outcomes were compared during the intervention vs baseline.

RESULTS

Altogether, 122 of 188 clinicians in intervention practices participated; of these, 120, 119, and 116 clinicians completed training modules 1, 2, and 3, respectively. During the intervention period, 29 206 adolescents (14 664 girls [50.2%]; mean [SD] age, 14.2 [2.0] years) made 15 888 WCC and 28 123 acute or chronic visits to intervention practices; 33 914 adolescents (17 069 girls [50.3%]; mean [SD] age, 14.2 [2.0] years) made 17 910 WCC and 35 281 acute or chronic visits to control practices. Intervention practices reduced missed opportunities overall by 2.4 percentage points (-2.4%; 95% CI, -3.5% to -1.2%) more than controls. Intervention practices reduced missed opportunities for vaccine initiation during WCC visits by 6.8 percentage points (-6.8%; 95% CI, -9.7% to -3.9%) more than controls. The intervention had no effect on missed opportunities for subsequent doses of the HPV vaccine or at acute or chronic visits. Adolescents in intervention practices had a 3.4-percentage point (95% CI, 0.6%-6.2%) greater improvement in HPV vaccine initiation compared with adolescents in control practices.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This scalable, online communication training increased HPV vaccination, particularly HPV vaccine initiation at WCC visits. Results support dissemination of this intervention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03599557.

Understanding primary care physician perspectives on recommending HPV vaccination and addressing vaccine hesitancy

HPV vaccination rates have improved in recent years, but remain suboptimal in the United States. Physician recommendation is associated with increased uptake; however, specific strategies used by physicians to recommend the vaccine and address hesitancy are underexplored. We iteratively conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with family medicine and pediatrics/adolescent medicine physicians recruited from four primary care settings (federally qualified health centers and hospital-affiliated practices) within a large academic-hospital system in New Jersey. Interviews aimed to understand factors influencing physician recommendations. Transcripts were analyzed iteratively using a team-based, thematic content analysis approach. All physicians reported strong support for HPV vaccination, intention to recommend for target age groups, and providing factsheets to parents. Many physicians used electronic medical records and/or the state immunization registry for monitoring vaccinations, but few were able to report their own clinic-level rates. The majority said they needed to overcome both hesitancy for at least 10-30% of parents and misinformation from the internet. Most cited having their own children vaccinated for HPV as a first-line strategy for addressing parental hesitancy. Other strategies included using data or professional authority to address safety concerns, linking HPV to cervical cancer, highlighting only needing two doses if vaccinated younger, and normalizing the vaccine. While our findings indicate physicians are knowledgeable about HPV vaccination and recommend it to parents, strategies to overcome parental hesitancy varied. Physician, clinic, and health-system-based strategies need to be adopted to overcome parental hesitancy for HPV vaccination.

Communicating With Vaccine-Hesitant Parents: A Narrative Review

Although vaccines are considered one of the most effective medical interventions to prevent vaccine preventable disease and associated morbidity and mortality, a number of recent outbreaks are threatening the gains made by vaccines. Vaccine hesitancy is a key driver of vaccine refusal and has been associated with vaccine preventable outbreaks. While parents seek information from many sources to inform their vaccine decision-making process, they continue to view their child's pediatric provider as a trusted source of vaccine information. The communication that occurs between a provider and parent with regards to vaccination is critical in reducing concerns and nudging parents toward vaccine acceptance. However, vaccine-hesitant parents raise issues in this encounter that many providers feel ill-equipped to answer, due to lack of training on evidence-based communication strategies. We focus on promising approaches related to patient-provider communication within the context of vaccination. We found empirical evidence that the use of a presumptive format to recommend vaccines, motivational interviewing, and tailoring information to increase message salience are approaches that can positively affect vaccine acceptance. As providers continue to serve as important influencers in the vaccine decision-making process, it is evident that there is a need to continue to identify evidence-based, and practically implementable approaches to mitigate parental vaccine hesitancy. Providers play a key role in improving coverage rates, and therefore it is paramount to seek ways to improve how providers communicate about vaccines.

A Select Bibliography of Actions to Promote Vaccine Literacy: A Resource for Health Communication

In this bibliography, the researchers provide an introduction to the available evidence base of actions to promote vaccine literacy. The research team organized interventions to create a tool that can inform health communicators and practitioners seeking a resource focused on strategy and implementation design for actions that support vaccine literacy. This scoping bibliography is honed specifically to respond to the urgency of the current pandemic, when supporting and increasing vaccine literacy offers promise for achieving the critically needed high levels of vaccination. Over the course of the coming months and year, this bibliography will be a dynamic and "living" document hosted and maintained on vaccineliteracy.com.

A Values-Tailored Web-Based Intervention for New Mothers to Increase Infant Vaccine Uptake: Development and Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

Vaccine hesitancy among parents leads to childhood undervaccination and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable disease. As the reasons for vaccine hesitancy are diverse, there is often not enough time during regular clinical visits for medical providers to adequately address all the concerns that parents have. Providing individually tailored vaccine information via the internet before a clinical visit may be a good mechanism for effectively allaying parents' vaccination concerns while also being time efficient. Including tailoring based on values is a promising, but untested, approach to message creation.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe the process by which we developed a Web-based intervention that is being used in an ongoing randomized controlled trial aimed at improving the timeliness of infant vaccination by reducing parental vaccine hesitancy.

METHODS

Development of the intervention incorporated evidence-based health behavior theories. A series of interviews, surveys, and feedback sessions were used to iteratively develop the intervention in collaboration with vaccination experts and potential end users.

RESULTS

In all, 41 specific content areas were identified to be included in the intervention. User feedback elucidated preferences for specific design elements to be incorporated throughout the website. The tile-based architecture chosen for the website was perceived as easy to use. Creating messages that were two-sided was generally preferred over other message formats. Quantitative surveys identified associations between specific vaccine values and vaccination beliefs, suggesting that values tailoring should vary, depending on the specific belief being endorsed.

CONCLUSIONS

Using health behavior theories, qualitative and quantitative data, and significant expert and end user input, we created a novel, Web-based intervention to improve infant vaccination timeliness. The intervention is based on tailoring messages according to each individual's values and beliefs. This intervention is currently being tested in a controlled randomized clinical trial.

USA dental health providers' role in HPV vaccine communication and HPV-OPC protection: a systematic review

Background. Improving human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination coverage in the US will require healthcare providers to recommend the vaccine more effectively. To inform quality improvement efforts, we systematically reviewed studies of dental provider communication about HPV vaccination. Methods. We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, ScienceDirect, PsycINFO and JSTOR in August 2018 to identify studies of dental provider knowledge, perceived role and communication about HPV, HPV vaccination and HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC). Results. We identified 10 qualitative and quantitative studies. Results of the primarily descriptive studies showed that although there were some deficiencies in knowledge about HPV-related outcomes and its effect on the male population, most providers understand HPV as a sexually transmitted infection and know the HPV vaccine is available, yet many are not discussing the HPV-OPC link or recommending vaccination. Providers were less often to recommend HPV vaccination if they were uncomfortable discussing sex, perceived parents as hesitant, or believed patients to be low risk. Studies reported mixed results on providers' perceived role in expanded HPV vaccination and HPV-OPC education, but indicated support for the role of professional organizations in promoting awareness. Conclusion. Interventions are needed to help dental providers perceive their role to deliver effective recommendations within the complex communication environment surrounding HPV vaccination and HPV-OPC education.

Examining strategies for improving healthcare providers' communication about adolescent HPV vaccination: evaluation of secondary outcomes in a randomized controlled trial

There is a critical need for campaigns and interventions to increase rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among U.S. adolescents. Healthcare providers are key stakeholders in parents' HPV vaccine decision-making. The current study presents the evaluation of secondary outcomes in a multi-component communication-based intervention to improve healthcare providers' communication about HPV vaccination. Evaluation was conducted via surveys of providers participating in a 12-month randomized controlled trial. Findings suggest use of communication components (combined use of the presumptive approach [PA] with all patients, and motivational interviewing and a fact sheet with vaccine hesitant parents) contributed to providers in the intervention group reporting higher perceived levels of parental HPV vaccine acceptance than control providers, as well as increased vaccination rates in the intervention arm in the main RCT.