Educational Intervention to Improve HPV Vaccination in a Primary Care Clinic

Abstract

Purpose: This quality improvement project focused on improving clinician knowledge and recommendation of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine at a primary care community health clinic by developing an asynchronous staff education video and patient educational handout. The project aimed to improve the clinic staff’s HPV vaccination knowledge of evidence-based recommendations, practice intent, and satisfaction with the provided educational tools.Background: HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States (US). Some virus variations can lead to cervical, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. Although there is a safe and effective vaccine, vaccination rates remain below the national goal. Low rates are often due to poor provider recommendations and patient education. At a southwest free community health clinic, which provides free healthcare care to uninsured, rural, and medically underserved individuals, the patients eligible for the HPV vaccine series are typically referred to the local health department for the vaccine. Methods: Based on recommendations by the clinic for formation and focus, an asynchronous presentation and patient education handout were developed. The asynchronous presentation was approximately 12 minutes, created from the literature on the best practices for improving HPV vaccination, and focused on evidence-based recommendations and referral procedures. A patient education handout was developed to facilitate patient education in the clinic. It included information on the HPV vaccine and how to access it through the local health department. Clinic staff were invited to complete an asynchronous, online quantitative survey to assess the effectiveness of the intervention in improving knowledge, practice intent, and satisfaction with the educational handout. Results: About 43% (n=3) of the current volunteers at Poore Medical Clinic, which included nurses and nurse practitioners with over 10 years of experience, participated in this QI project. After viewing the presentation and handout, all three participants agreed that their knowledge regarding the HPV vaccine and patient education improved, and they were satisfied with the presentation. Additionally, the presentation increased their intent to implement the knowledge into practice. Conclusions: The educational intervention successfully increased staff knowledge and practice intent for HPV vaccination. Following best practices should help increase HPV vaccination series rates.