Learning Sessions, Shared Decision Making Could Help Increase Vaccinations Among Older Adults
Among providers who took part in a recent study, 57% reported increased vaccination rates after implementing a quality improvement initiative.
A multifaceted strategy that includes collaborative educational sessions and shared decision making could help improve vaccination rates among older adult patients, according to data published in the journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases.1 Authors of the study said that clear information and good discussions between providers and patients are key.
Learning Sessions, Shared Decision Making Could Help Increase Vaccinations Among Older Adults / Khunatorn - stock.adobe.com
Vaccinations are critical for older adult patients because they are at a significantly higher risk of severe infection. While vaccination rates among older adults have improved, they continue to lag. According to data from the CDC, only 49% of adults aged 75 years and older had received the latest COVID-19 vaccine.2 For RSV, 44% of people for who it is recommended said they do not plan on or are unsure if they will get the vaccine.3
READ MORE: Simplifying Vaccine Access Translates to Better Uptake
Influenza vaccinations are also crucial for older adults, as they face a higher risk of flu-related complications including pneumonia and hospitalization.4 Flu activity in the United States has been increasing steadily across the country for the past month. Data from the Walgreens Flu Index shows that flu activity from the week ending February 8 was 204% higher compared to the same time last year.5
For the study, a team of investigators from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and PRIME Education implemented a quality improvement initiative at 6 primary care and geriatric clinics. The quality improvement initiative included collaborative learning sessions and use of a customized shared decision-making tool. Patients and providers also took a survey before and after the quality improvement initiative.
Of the 133 patients who took part in the collaborative learning sessions, the 2 biggest reported barriers to vaccination were knowing which vaccinations were needed and paying for vaccines. While 67% said that a strong recommendation from a provider was the best motivator to get vaccinated, only 33% of providers believed that was important. After the collaborative learning sessions, patient knowledge about hospitalization due to RSV increased from 40% to 65%, and 59% said they now plan to get the recommended vaccines.
Of the 72 patients who used the shared decision making tool and completed the surveys, 81% said they discussed their vaccination concerns either more or much more than previous visits. Patients also said that they were now more willing to get vaccinated. Additionally, of the 14 providers who completed the follow up survey, 57% reported increased vaccination rates among their patients.
“The vaccination schedule for older adults, like for pediatric patients, can be confusing—to know what is needed and when,” Laurie Archbald-Pannone, MD, lead author on the study, said in a release.6 “Patients in the study reported that a clear recommendation from their healthcare provider was most impactful in getting them vaccinated.”
READ MORE: Immunization Resource Center
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