Access Type
Open Access
Start Date
4-17-2024 12:00 AM
End Date
4-17-2024 12:00 AM
College
College of Medical Sciences
Department
Medical Science
Keywords
Vaccine Hesitancy, Vaccine Resistance, Primary Care, Motivational Interviewing, Vaccine Acceptance
Abstract
This article will summarize methods for providers to effectively combat vaccine hesitancy in their patient populations. Vaccine hesitancy is a growing concern in the medical field, as new cases of vaccine preventable diseases arise. However, vaccine hesitancy is more common than vaccine resistance and can be converted into vaccine acceptance with effective communication strategies.
There is no easy solution to the complex problem of vaccine hesitancy. Most studies demonstrate that effective conversion to vaccine acceptance requires tailoring vaccine information to the patient and listening to their concerns. Other methods include exposing patients to survivors of vaccine preventable diseases, or using coercive techniques such as financial incentives to increase vaccination rates. While some of these methods may take more time, they are things that can be incorporated into primary care visits.
As medicine encourages increased shared decision making with patients, understanding their concerns and needs are important to address. This is also true with vaccine hesitant patients. Learning to incorporate active listening strategies and using accurate, succinct information is the key to improve vaccine acceptance and prevent new outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. James R Kilgore
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Included in
Family Medicine Commons, Internal Medicine Commons, Pediatrics Commons, Preventive Medicine Commons, Primary Care Commons
Strategies for Combating Vaccine Hesitancy in Primary Care
This article will summarize methods for providers to effectively combat vaccine hesitancy in their patient populations. Vaccine hesitancy is a growing concern in the medical field, as new cases of vaccine preventable diseases arise. However, vaccine hesitancy is more common than vaccine resistance and can be converted into vaccine acceptance with effective communication strategies.
There is no easy solution to the complex problem of vaccine hesitancy. Most studies demonstrate that effective conversion to vaccine acceptance requires tailoring vaccine information to the patient and listening to their concerns. Other methods include exposing patients to survivors of vaccine preventable diseases, or using coercive techniques such as financial incentives to increase vaccination rates. While some of these methods may take more time, they are things that can be incorporated into primary care visits.
As medicine encourages increased shared decision making with patients, understanding their concerns and needs are important to address. This is also true with vaccine hesitant patients. Learning to incorporate active listening strategies and using accurate, succinct information is the key to improve vaccine acceptance and prevent new outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses.