Adults over the age of 65 face a high risk of dying from pneumococcal disease, but Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine researchers recently discovered they could increase pneumococcal vaccination rates by showing patients a two-minute educational video.
"It is critical to provide adults who are newly eligible for vaccination accurate information prior to offering the pneumococcal vaccination," said principal investigator Kenzie A. Cameron, PhD. "Otherwise, patient attitudes, such as preconceived notions about vaccinations and incomplete information, may cause individuals to initially refuse the shot."
The researchers created the educational video and then programmed it into Northwestern's electronic health record system to be sent to any patients newly eligible for the vaccine. During the six-month study period, the researchers sent messages to 116 patients, three-quarters of whom opened the message. Among those patients, nearly 90 percent viewed at least part of the video and 64 percent watched the entire thing.
Patients who watched at least part of the video were three times more likely to receive the pneumococcal vaccine than those who didn't watch it at all.
"This approach demonstrates a new way for patients to receive effective, efficient education about preventive care," said Dr. Cameron.
Check out the educational video created by the investigators below.
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