Section outline

    • In this section, you'll be learning - and practising - techniques for having effective conversations with people who are vaccine hesitant.  

       They are based on best clinical practice in communication skills, and the techniques of motivational interviewing


    • How to have the conversation

      If your patient is happy to accept the vaccine, then you can offer positive encouragement and administer the vaccine as you would normally.

      If your patient is adamantly refusing, or perhaps is an "anti-vaxxer", don't get into a heated debate. Listen to their concerns, leave space for further discussion, and offer to refer to other health professionals if they would find that helpful. It is important however that patients are aware of the consequences and responsibilities of not having the vaccine (eg transmission risks, risks of illness, need for healthcare), and this is recorded in their notes. 

      But for all vaccine hesitant patients, consider an approach using principles of motivational interviewing.


    • SUMMARY OVERVIEW OF KEY SKILLS

      Using a mix of best practice in clinical communication skills and motivational interviewing, this is a step-by-step overview of how to approach the conversation:



    • SKILL 1: AFFIRMATION AND VALIDATION


    • SKILL 2: REFLECTION



    • Example of reflection:


    • TOP TIP - "CHANGE TALK"

      Ask the patient to score how ready they are to make a decision from 1-10 where 1 is not at all ready and 10 is completely ready

      This often opens up a discussion about why they didn't score themselves as "10"; and what might help them to go from , say a "5" to a "6".

      This can be like gold dust. It stimulates "Change Talk", and allows the patient to articulate what might help them to feel happier about making their decision


    • SKILL 3: ASK-OFFER-ASK



    • Skill 4: Summarise and next steps



    • ROLE PLAYS: YOUR PATIENTS Interactive Content
      Students must
      View
      Here are three role play scenarios for you to practice or to reflect on. It is a chance to put into practice some of the techniques you have learned about. You could do these with a friend or colleague in role; or just practice out loud what you might say to the patient in the cartoon strip


    • Consultation 1 Video demo. Tanya Anderson. [Ineffective technique] 7 minutes QMplus Media Video
      Students must
      Mark as done
    • Consultation 2. Video Demo. Tanya Anderson. [More effective technique] 16 minutes QMplus Media Video
      Students must
      Mark as done

    • "THIS APPROACH TAKES TOO MUCH TIME!"


      You may have noticed that the approach we are promoting here seems to take longer than the more directive approach. Well....yes it usually does. But is it worth spending a little extra time to really address patients' concerns and help them feel better placed to make a decision?

      The alternative is often a very brief conversation which doesn't use these sort of techniques - which is less effective at helping patients come to a decision, and which you may have to have repeatedly. Not to mention the risk of losing trust and respect with your patients, which can be long-lasting.