Pre-Graduation Vaccine Communication Training Against Vaccine Hesitancy (AKİLE-MÖ)

Abstract

Background

Vaccine hesitancy and refusal are becoming more widespread globally and in Türkiye, leading to an increase in the number of unvaccinated individuals, which threatens herd immunity. Vaccine refusals often stem from individuals who are hesitant due to insufficient communication. In the scope of TÜBÄ°TAK 1001 AKÄ°LE-MÖ Project (coded 121R060), ‘Pre-graduation Vaccine Communication Training Against Vaccine Hesitancy (AKÄ°LE-MÖ)’ program was developed and its effectiveness was evaluated with the aim of equipping medical students with appropriate vaccine communication skills against vaccine hesitancy.

Methods

The AKÄ°LE-MÖ program was designed for medical school curricula and developed in several stages: needs analysis, workshops and coordination meetings, pilot implementation, program implementation and evaluation, long-term evaluation, and control group training. At the end of the 28-month project, the AKÄ°LE-MÖ trainer's guide was developed. The data obtained from the needs assessment questionnaires, pre-test, post-test and OSCE practices conducted within the scope of the project were analysed with SPSS 24.0 statistical program. A total of 108 students participated in the training.

Findings

By developing the Pre-Graduate Vaccine Communication Training (AKÄ°LE-MÖ) program and implementing five AKÄ°LE-MÖ programs during the 28-month project, including one pilot session, as a result of the five AKÄ°LE-MÖ programs conducted during the project, it was found that participants’ post-test scores were significantly higher than their pre-test scores. OSCE results also showed that the knowledge and skill levels of the intervention group were higher than the control group. Long-term evaluations revealed that the effectiveness of the training continued at a high level.

Conclusions

It is important to include the AKÄ°LE-MÖ program in medical school curricula and to regularly update the program content in line with current vaccine information and communication strategies.

Key messages

• The widespread dissemination of vaccine communication training will contribute significantly to increasing public trust in vaccines and promoting vaccination.

• In the future, it is thought that by ensuring these training programs reach larger audiences, vaccine opposition can be reduced, and vaccination can be promoted across society.