A survey of office practice: Parents, front office staff, nurses and clinicians hold disparate views on adolescent vaccines

Abstract

Background: Previous work suggests provider recommendation improves vaccine delivery. Less examined is the role of practice's front office staff and nurses in vaccine communication. Messaging and communication about vaccines should be consistent across all levels of the pediatric practice.

Methods: We distributed surveys to clinicians, nurses, front office staff, and parents of adolescents 11-17 years in pediatric and family medicine office practices. We inquired about perceived importance of adolescent vaccines and the use of recommendations to families about receiving vaccines. We also asked front office staff about concerns from families about vaccines as well as vaccine refusal for themselves and their child.

Results: Nurses perceived that the HPV vaccine was less important than the MenACWY and Tdap vaccines (% very important 84% v. 95% and 94%; P < .01). Parents also perceived HPV vaccine as being less important than MenACWY and Tdap vaccines (59% v 68% and 79%; P < .01. Between groups, parents perceived all vaccines as being less important than front office staff. Nurses and clinicians reported using a strong recommendation less often for HPV vaccine compared to the MenACWY and Tdap (70% v 84% and 84%; P < .01 for nurses, and 77% v. 88% and 86%; P < .05 for clinicians). Front office staff were more likely to report concerns from parents about HPV vaccine than from MenACWY and Tdap after the visit is complete.

Conclusion: Parents, front office staff and nurses differ on the importance of vaccines. Interventions to improve vaccine communication and delivery must include all who work in the practice.

Keywords: Adolescent; Communication; Recommendation; Vaccine.