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Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

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Evidence Tools
MCHbest. Childhood Vaccination with MMR, Flu, and HPV.

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Strategy. Provider Training and Communication

Approach. Implement provider training to increase childhood vaccination rates.

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Overview. Implementing provider training programs involves equipping healthcare professionals with the knowledge, skills, and communication techniques to effectively recommend and administer childhood vaccinations.[1] This approach can significantly increase childhood vaccination rates by empowering providers to address parental concerns, overcome vaccine hesitancy, and confidently integrate vaccinations into routine well-child visits.[1] Training programs should be evidence-based and address common challenges to vaccination, such as misinformation or logistical challenges.[1] trainings should emphasize clear and empathetic communication techniques to build trust with parents and address their specific questions. Finally, ongoing training and support for healthcare providers are crucial to ensure they stay updated on immunization recommendations and best practices.[1] Examples of successful public health programs utilizing provider training include initiatives by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC) offering online modules and educational resources on vaccine science and communication, and similar programs by state health departments that provide in-person workshops for local healthcare providers.[2, 3] Peer-reviewed research has shown that provider training programs are demonstrably effective in increasing vaccination rates.[1] Studies have found that trained providers are more likely to confidently recommend vaccinations, effectively address parental concerns, and integrate vaccination into routine pediatric care, leading to higher overall immunization coverage.[4]

Evidence. Scientifically Rigorous Evidence. Strategies with this rating are most likely to be effective...

Access the peer-reviewed evidence through the MCH Digital Library or related evidence source.

This strategy is also supported as "Clinic-Based Interventions for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination" in the What Works for Health database.

Potential Data Sources. Data to support this strategy can be accessed through:

  • Provider training and fidelity data
  • Provider self-efficacy and competency surveys
  • Clinic audit and feedback data

Outcome Components. This strategy has shown to have impact on the following outcomes (Read more about these categories):

  • Utilization. This strategy improves the extent to which individuals and communities use available healthcare services.

Detailed Outcomes. For specific outcomes related to each study supporting this strategy, access the peer-reviewed evidence and read the Intervention Results for each study.

Intervention Type. Health Teaching (Education and Promotion) (Read more about intervention types and levels as defined by the Public Health Intervention Wheel).

Intervention Level. Community-Focused

Examples from the Field. There are currently no ESMs that use this strategy. Search similar intervention components in the ESM database.

Sample ESMs. Here are sample ESMs to use as models for your own measures using the RBA framework (see The Role of Title V in Adapting Strategies).

Quadrant 1:
Measuring Quantity of Effort (“What/how much did we do?”)

  • Number of healthcare providers who complete training on childhood immunization best practices, communication strategies, and vaccine hesitancy management. (Measures reach and scale of provider training on vaccination)
  • Number of provider organizations and professional associations partnered with Title V that promote and support vaccination-related training for their members. (Measures institutional adoption and buy-in to provider training related to vaccination)

Quadrant 2:
Measuring Quality of Effort (“How well did we do it?”)

  • Percent of healthcare providers who complete training on childhood immunization best practices, communication strategies, and vaccine hesitancy management. (Measures reach and scale of provider training on vaccination)
  • Percent of provider organizations and professional associations partnered with Title V that promote and support vaccination-related training for their members. (Measures institutional adoption and buy-in to provider training related to vaccination)

Quadrant 3:
Measuring Quantity of Effect (“Is anyone better off?”)

  • Number of provider training programs that are integrated into medical and nursing school curricula, residency programs, and continuing education requirements. (Measures institutionalization of provider training on vaccination)
  • Number of provider organizations that implement policies, reminder systems, and performance feedback loops to reinforce vaccination best practices learned in training. (Measures organizational support for vaccination training translation)
  • Number of healthcare organizations that achieve and maintain high childhood vaccination rates and reduced missed opportunities as a result of having a well-trained provider workforce. (Measures Provider training impact on organizational performance)
  • Number of communities that benefit from increased herd immunity and reduced vaccine-preventable disease burden due to the collective impact of trained providers. (Measures population health impact of provider training)

Quadrant 4:
Measuring Quality of Effect (“How are they better off?”)

  • Percent of training resources and materials that are tailored to meet the needs and perspectives of the provider and patient populations they serve. (Measures relevance of training content)
  • Percent of provider training initiatives that actively involve parents, community members, and other partners in the design, delivery, and evaluation of training. (Measures level of community engagement and partnership in training)
  • Percent of healthcare organizations that achieve and maintain high childhood vaccination rates and reduced missed opportunities as a result of having a well-trained provider workforce. (Measures Provider training impact on organizational performance)
  • Percent of communities that benefit from increased herd immunity and reduced vaccine-preventable disease burden due to the collective impact of trained providers. (Measures population health impact of provider training)

Note. When looking at your ESMs, SPMs, or other strategies:

  1. Move from measuring quantity to quality.
  2. Move from measuring effort to effect.
  3. Quadrant 1 strategies should be used sparingly, when no other data exists.
  4. The most effective measurement combines strategies in all levels, with most in Quadrants 2 and 4.

Learn More. Read how to create stronger ESMs and how to measure ESM impact more meaningfully through Results-Based Accountability.

References

[1] Vaccines and immunizations: for Healthcare professionals | CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/index.html

[2] You call the shots: vaccines Web-based training Course | CDC. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ed/youcalltheshots.html

[3] Commonwealth of Massachusetts. (n.d.). Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS). Mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov/massachusetts-immunization-information-system-miis

[4] Rand, C. M., & Humiston, S. G. (2021). Provider focused interventions to improve child and adolescent vaccination rates. Academic Pediatrics, 21(4), S34-S39.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U02MC31613, MCH Advanced Education Policy, $3.5 M. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.