Question

Childhood vaccination is one of the most effective scientific and public health successes in recent history. Yet, there are many parents who are choosing not to vaccinate their children. How would you approach a discussion with a parent who is conflicted about immunizing a child? What are some barriers to effective communication in this scenario? What characteristics of effective patient-provider communication would you apply? What is the key message you would convey to this parent?

Answer 1

Vaccination plays a vital role in the wellbeing of children. But sometimes we feel difficult to convince parents to understand the need of taking vaccines. We should listen to the concerns and doubts of parents to vaccinate their child patiently. We can start the conversation with the parent explaining about World Health Organizations and their assurity of vaccine safety and continue to talk little more about it. I have taken vaccination for my daughter yesterday because taking vaccines is important and it is scientifically proved. They will definitely oppose the statement. It is necessary to talk to them about any instances in which child got any impacts for not taking vaccines. For example, a child of my neighbourhood got polio because of the negligence of parents to take polio vaccine which was scheduled for the child. So it is always advisible to take appropriate vaccines. Moreover it can boost the immune systems of children by introducing vaccines into the body. Through vaccines, antibodies of particular disease is injected into the body of a child enables to attain immunity.

There are certain barriers for the nurse to communicate with the parents.They are as follows:

Health system barriers

* The cost of the vaccine can change the mind of parents delaying intake of vaccines.

* The availability and supply of vaccines due to shortage of manufacturing.

* Ineficiency of health care providers to educate or give adequate informations regarding vaccines.

Parental barriers

* parents delays immunizations due to factors such as religious objections, continous childhood illness,confused vaccine schedules.

* Parents misconceptions like immunity attained by vaccine is less effective than natural disease.They also think taking too many vaccines can weakens childrens immune systems.

Fear for adverse effects

   Parents will be panic when they see reactions of vaccines which is highlighted in media, the internet and real incidents happened in their family. This can lead parents to question the need of vaccinations.

The characteristics which i apply for effective patient provider communication are as follows:

* maintain a good rapport with parents

* to be empathetic

* supportive

* good listener

The key message i want to coney to the parent is better safe in getting vaccinations for the child than being sorry.