Effectiveness of Online Vaccine Communication Training and Assessment Using Virtual Encounters With Standardized...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Communication Strategies
• Vaccine Hesitancy

Background:

• Lack of standardized training for counseling vaccine-hesitant parents exists.
• Vaccine hesitancy is a significant concern among parents.
• Structured communication approaches, like the AIMS method, aim to build trust and improve vaccine acceptance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of online training in a structured communication strategy (AIMS) for addressing vaccine hesitancy.
• To assess if the training improves resident behaviors and confidence during telemedicine encounters with standardized patients (SPs).
• To determine if specific communication behaviors are more prevalent after AIMS training compared to a control group.

Main Methods:

• Pediatric and medicine-pediatric residents were randomized to receive either AIMS or control online training.
• Pre- and post-training telemedicine encounters with SPs simulating well-child visits were conducted and video-recorded.
• Encounters were assessed using the Vaccine Hesitancy Communication Assessment (VHCA); resident confidence and SP evaluations were also measured.

Main Results:

• Resident self-confidence improved in both AIMS and control groups.
• AIMS-specific communication behaviors were observed more frequently in residents who received AIMS training.
• Standardized patient assessments of resident communication skills did not significantly differ between the groups.

Conclusions:

• Online training and assessment using SPs are effective for vaccine hesitancy communication, even in a virtual setting.
• Confidence gains appear to stem from the SP encounter experience itself, benefiting both groups.
• Similar virtual training and simulation programs hold promise for resident education and the expanding use of telemedicine.