Doctor Training Doesn’t Reduce Vaccine Reluctance
Giving doctors brief training on how to talk to families about vaccines did not reduce reluctance for those that had concerns, a study found. The new study included 56 clinics. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. Doctors at 30 clinics were given training in how to talk to families about vaccines for their children. The training emphasized how to address questions and concerns. It emphasized showing empathy and building trust as well as providing information. About two-thirds of the doctors took the class. Doctors in the other 20 clinics did not get trained. Researchers recruited 347 mothers whose children were patients in the clinics. They were given questionnaires to assess whether they were hesitant about giving vaccines to their children. After their children’s doctors talked to them about vaccines, they answered the questions again.