HPV vaccine communication training in healthcare systems: Evaluating a train-the-trainer model

Background: Large healthcare systems provide an opportunity to disseminate evidence-based interventions to primary care. We evaluated the impact of a train-the-trainer model in two large systems to disseminate the Announcement Approach Training, which teaches providers to communicate about HPV vaccination more effectively. Methods: In collaboration with the American Cancer Society, we partnered with two midwestern healthcare systems that served over 77,000 patients ages 11 through 17. Both systems hosted a 2-hour train the-trainer workshop. Providers from one system then conducted in-person 1-hour CME-eligible trainings, using our standard slide set and script (available at hpvIQ.org). The other system did not implement trainings, providing a natural experiment. Results: The train-the-trainer workshop included physicians, nurses and other clinical staff (n = 11/13 for intervention/comparison systems). The intervention system delivered 18 trainings to 234 physicians, nurses, and other clinic staff. From baseline to 6-month follow-up, the intervention system had an increase in HPV vaccine uptake that was larger than that of the comparison system for adolescents ages 11 through 12 (1.9%, p = .002) and ages 13 through 17 (1.5%, p = .015). Attending the training was associated with increased intentions to routinely recommend HPV vaccine when patients turn 11 or 12 (mean 4.19 (SD = 0.95) vs. 4.43 (SD = 0.83) as well as increased positive vaccine attitudes, self-efficacy, and norms (all p < .001). Participant satisfaction with the trainings was high (90%-94%). Conclusion: The train-the-trainer model was effective in increasing provider motivation to recommend HPV vaccination and led to a small increase in vaccine uptake. Dissemination through large healthcare systems is promising but faces some challenges. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.