Making a Shared Decision on Meningococcal B Vaccine: Provider Feedback on an Educational Tool Developed for Use With Patients

Abstract

Background In 2015, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended Meningococcal B vaccination for healthy 16- to 23-year-olds based on shared clinical decision-making between the patient and the provider. There has been some confusion regarding how to implement this recommendation.

Methods Through discussions among the authors, a review of relevant literature, and consultation with vaccine experts, we developed educational materials for providers that included a patient handout to help initiate and guide conversations leading to shared clinical decision-making for the Meningococcal B vaccine. Materials were distributed to 88 health care providers who subsequently completed surveys to evaluate their impressions of the materials and the utility of the materials for clinical practice.

Results The survey results from the 88 providers revealed that they valued the materials; 93% percent indicated they would share these materials with colleagues, and 95% agreed or strongly agreed that they would share these materials with patient families. Responses to an open-ended question indicate that some providers initiated discussions regarding the Meningococcal B vaccine in ways that truncated conversation rather than encouraging a shared decision-making process.

Conclusions Overall, the materials developed and implemented for this project support the initiation of, and help standardize provider conversations regarding, Meningococcal B vaccination for healthy adolescents.