Training Physicians in Motivational Communication to Address Influenza Vaccine Hesitation: A Proof-of-Concept Study
Sara Labbé,
Inés Colmegna,
Valeria Valerio,
Vincent Gosselin Boucher,
Sandra Peláez,
Anda I. Dragomir,
Catherine Laurin,
Elizabeth M. Hazel,
Simon L. Bacon,
Kim L. Lavoie
Affiliations
Sara Labbé
Montréal Behavioural Medicine Centre, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (CIUSSS-NIM), Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, QC H4J 1C5, Canada
Inés Colmegna
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1A3, Canada
Valeria Valerio
The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), Montreal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
Vincent Gosselin Boucher
Montréal Behavioural Medicine Centre, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (CIUSSS-NIM), Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, QC H4J 1C5, Canada
Sandra Peláez
School of Kinesiology and Physical Activity Sciences (EKSAP), Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
Anda I. Dragomir
Montréal Behavioural Medicine Centre, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (CIUSSS-NIM), Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, QC H4J 1C5, Canada
Catherine Laurin
Montréal Behavioural Medicine Centre, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (CIUSSS-NIM), Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, QC H4J 1C5, Canada
Elizabeth M. Hazel
Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3G 1A3, Canada
Simon L. Bacon
Montréal Behavioural Medicine Centre, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (CIUSSS-NIM), Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, QC H4J 1C5, Canada
Kim L. Lavoie
Montréal Behavioural Medicine Centre, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et de Services Sociaux du Nord-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (CIUSSS-NIM), Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, Montreal, QC H4J 1C5, Canada
Background: Strategies to support health care professionals on how to address vaccine hesitancy are needed. Methods: We developed a 4-h Motivational Communication (MC) training program tailored to help physicians address hesitancy related to influenza vaccination among patients living with rheumatoid arthritis. Five MC competencies were evaluated at baseline and post-training with a standardized patient using the Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity [MITI] scale. Adherence to MC during clinical consultations and changes in vaccine intentions was measured as secondary outcomes. Results: Seven rheumatology physicians participated in the training. MITI scores increased in all participants, and 71% (n = 5) achieved thresholds of clinical competency (i.e., ≥3.5/5 at MITI global score and ≥3/5 on at least 3 individual competency score) post-training. Autonomy/support and empathy competencies reached competency thresholds (+2.4 ± 1.3 to +4.1 ± 0.7 and +2.1 ± 0.7 to +4.1 ± 0.7, respectively). Evocation and collaboration competencies improved but without reaching competency thresholds (+1.4 ± 0.8 to +3.1 ± 1.1; +1.4 ± 0.8 to +2.9 ± 1.1, respectively). Direction did not improve. Among 21 patient consultations post-training, 15 (71%) were MC-consistent. Of the 15 patients, 67% (10/15) intended to receive the influenza vaccine and 33% (5/15) received it. Conclusion: A brief MC training program targeting vaccine hesitancy increased MC competency among rheumatology physicians and promoted behavioral change among patients.
