Announcements improve HPV vaccination over conversations

1. Physicians who used an announcement technique when introducing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination had a higher rate of vaccination coverage compared to other techniques.

2. The announcement technique involves stating that vaccinations will be given without inviting questions from patients.

Evidence Rating Level: 1 (Excellent)            

Study Rundown: Vaccine uptake for the HPV vaccine continues to be a challenge. Only 34% of girls and 21% of boys between the ages of 13 and 15 have received the total series. This study sought to examine 2 different methods for vaccine discussion with patients and families: an “announcement” versus “conversation” approach. Clinicians trained in the announcement approach were instructed to announce that 3 vaccines were due at this age, listing the HPV in the middle, and then stating that they will vaccinate today. In contrast, the conversation approach was modeled on shared decision-making by discussing health benefits and inviting questions from parents and patients. Clinics with physicians trained in the announcement approach had a greater increase in HPV vaccination coverage for both boys and girls when compared to the control clinics. There was no difference between clinics who had conversation training versus control clinics. The study is limited by its inclusion of a single southeastern US state and its use of in-person physician-led training, which may be difficult to scale. However, its randomized nature with a single, simple intervention makes implementation practical. Overall, physicians should consider using an announcement approach as it may increase HPV vaccination in their practices

Click to read the study, published in Pediatrics

Relevant Reading: The influence of provider communication behaviors on parental vaccine acceptance and visit experience

In-Depth [randomized trial]: Participants included a total of 17 173 children between the ages of 11 and 12 years in 29 pediatric or family medicine clinics. The trial had 3 parallel arms, with clinics randomized equally to announcement training, conversation training, or control (no training). The increase in HPV vaccination coverage among announcement clinics was 5.4% higher than control clinics’ coverage after six months (95% CI 1.1–9.7%). This held true among girls (4.6% higher) and boys (6.2% higher). There was no difference in HPV vaccination coverage between clinics receiving conversation training and control clinics.

Image: PD

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