Improving HPV Vaccination Rates: A Comprehensive Evaluation of a Clinician-Centered Educational Initiative in a Wisconsin Health Care System.

Abstract

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection poses significant public health concerns due to its prevalence and association with various cancers. This study assesses a 2014 quality improvement initiative in Wisconsin's largest health care system. The intervention aimed to improve HPV vaccine initiation and completion among eligible patients and to reduce the gap in vaccination rates between males and females.

Methods: Educational sessions delivered to health care providers and staff at select clinics focused on current HPV vaccination recommendations and strategies for patient communication. Preintervention and postintervention surveys assessed changes in clinician knowledge and attitudes. Clinic-level data on HPV vaccination rates compared intervention and control clinics at 12 and 36 months following the intervention.

Results: Postintervention knowledge and attitudes regarding HPV vaccination improved, and intervention clinics demonstrated notable increases in HPV vaccine initiation and completion rates across various age and sex groups at 12- and 36-month follow-up. The gap between female and male HPV vaccination rates narrowed in some age groups in intervention clinics, but the effect was inconsistent.

Conclusions: This study highlights the potential effectiveness of an in-person educational intervention in improving HPV vaccination rates in a health care system. Clinicians' enhanced understanding of vaccination guidelines, coupled with real-time data feedback, contributed to sustained improvements. To address resource challenges, future interventions may explore cost-effective alternatives. These findings underscore the pivotal role of clinicians in increasing HPV vaccine uptake, emphasizing the importance of aligning interventions with evolving vaccination recommendations to combat HPV-related cancers more effectively.