1 - The Impact of Behavioral Nudges, Communication Training and Assessment and Feedback on Adolescent Vaccination Rates and Parent Satisfaction

Background: Effective prevention of HPV is possible, but < 50% of adolescents in the Midwest complete the recommended vaccine series. Strategies to increase HPV vaccination rates have demonstrated efficacy, however widespread implementation of these interventions has not been realized. Behavioral nudges have demonstrated efficacy in increasing uptake of desired heath behaviors among providers (e.g. hand hygiene, judicious antibiotic prescribing). This trial assessed the impact of an assessment and feedback, communication training, and behavioral nudge (i.e. poster-sized vaccine commitment statements) intervention (T³) on adolescent vaccination rates and parental satisfaction at four Midwestern pediatric practices.

Methods: Practices were randomly assigned to receive either 1) assessment and feedback or 2) T³ intervention. Providers (n=16) completed surveys regarding vaccine polices and parents of vaccine eligible adolescents (n=230) reported their child's vaccine history and satisfaction with the consultation. Practice- level vaccination rates for Tdap, Meningococcal, and HPV were calculated through billing data queries from an integrated pediatric health network. Vaccination rates and provider/ parental responses were compared by intervention arm.

Results: All practices evidenced increased adolescent vaccine rates, ranging from 0.8% to 3.4% for Meningococcal and 1.3% to 12.1% for Tdap. Three of the four practices had increased HPV vaccination rates (1% to 10%), however there was no statistically significant difference by study arm. Most parents (M age 41.34; SD 8.05; 85% female, 68% White) indicated their child had previously initiated the HPV vaccine series (61%) and 72% indicated receipt of an HPV vaccine during the study visit. Concerns among HPV vaccine hesitant parents (n=60) included concerns about vaccine safety and necessity. Most (97%) of parents were satisfied with their consultation.

Conclusion: Practices in both intervention groups evidenced an increase in adolescent vaccination rates. While some parents had concerns about HPV vaccine safety and necessity, parents welcomed discussions about HPV vaccine and were satisfied with their provider's communication regardless of their vaccine decisions.