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Open lines of communication on vaccinations key to success
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Pediatricians must communicate the benefits of vaccines and listen to parental concerns if they want to increase acceptance rates, according to study results presented during the CDC’s 1st National Immunization Conference Online.
Douglas J. Opel, MD, MPH, who is an assistant professor in the department of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, presented data that looked at 20 videotaped encounters between clinicians and parents during well-child visits to examine which communication methods were most effective.
The researchers said balancing the health of the child and respecting parents’ decisions are key. Opel and colleagues measured:
- How the topic was introduced, either in a participatory/question format (ie, asking parents if they wanted to have their children vaccinated)or non-participatory/presumptive (ie, asserting position on vaccination).
- How the provider listened to the parent, analyzing whether there was query designed to encourage discussion or designed to discourage discussion.
The researchers said keeping close records of immunizations and encouraging dialogue led to increased parental acceptance of immunizations. They are now enrolling a larger sample size to examine the phenomenon, according to Opel.
In an earlier published survey, many pediatricians reported at least a single instance of total (85%) or selective (54%) parental refusal of vaccines. Pediatricians asked the families to seek care elsewhere for 28% and 39% of the selective and full refusers, respectively. The reasons to dismiss were lack of common goals, lack of trust or fear of litigation.
Refusing parents who refuse vaccines is not ideal, according to recommendations from the AAP, and it continues to urge a dialogue about vaccinations.
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Disclosure: Dr. Opel reports no relevant financial disclosures.