Motivational Interviewing to Address Vaccine Hesitancy in a Rural Population

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Communication
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Vaccine hesitancy is a significant public health concern, increasing the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Rural populations disproportionately experience higher rates of vaccine hesitancy.
• Effective communication strategies are crucial for addressing vaccine hesitancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of motivational interviewing (MI) training on healthcare providers serving rural populations.
• To enhance providers' knowledge and confidence in using MI to address vaccine hesitancy.
• To support evidence-based practice in community health outreach.

Main Methods:

• An educational session on MI was delivered virtually to the Michigan State University Extension Vaccine Team.
• The training focused on applying MI techniques specifically within rural contexts.
• Participant knowledge and confidence were assessed using pre- and post-session surveys.

Main Results:

• Participants demonstrated significant improvements in their understanding and confidence regarding MI.
• The training effectively equipped providers to utilize MI for vaccine hesitancy discussions.
• Positive changes in perceived ability to engage rural populations were reported.

Conclusions:

• Educational interventions on MI are effective for healthcare teams addressing vaccine hesitancy in rural areas.
• MI is a valuable tool for improving health communication and vaccine uptake.
• Nursing and healthcare professionals can leverage MI to broaden health discussions and impact patient outcomes.