Edgar Villanueva, Tom Heiderscheit & Kathy Ford How Healthcare Providers Utilize the CDC National Immunization Information Hotline Edgar Villanueva, Tom Heiderscheit & Kathy Ford March 18, 2003 DOS PREGUNTAS

NIIH Call Volume (Jul 1997-Feb 2003) Answered 534,012 total calls: 479,815 calls (90%) on the English service 54,197 calls (10%) on the Spanish service 32.7% of surveyed callers on the English service were healthcare professionals 3.5% of surveyed callers on the Spanish service were healthcare professionals

Kind of Healthcare Professional (Jul 1997-Feb 2003)

Specialty of Healthcare Professional (Jul 1997-Feb 2003)

Gender of English Service Healthcare Professional Callers (Jul 1997-Feb 2003)

Gender of Spanish Service Healthcare Professional Callers (Jul 1997-Feb 2003) Male 13% Female 87%

Ethnicity of English Service Healthcare Professional Callers (Jul 1997-Feb 2003)

Spanish Service Healthcare Professional Callers Country of Origin (Jul 1997-Feb 2003)

Information Discussed (Jul 1997-Feb 2003)

Specific Shot Discussed by Healthcare Professional Callers (Jul 1997-Feb 2003)

Referrals Provided to Healthcare Professional Callers (Jul 1997-Feb 2003)

Murial King, Edgar Villanueva, Kathy Ford, and Greg Dibernardo Evaluation of Hotline Calls Regarding Minor Adverse Events: Implications for Patient-Provider Communication Murial King, Edgar Villanueva, Kathy Ford, and Greg Dibernardo March 18, 2003 DOS PREGUNTAS

Study Background The CDC National Immunization Information Hotline (NIIH) began in 1997. During NIIH’s years of operation, staff has reported a higher than expected number of calls related to mild adverse events. These calls suggest that parents receive little guidance regarding the implications of minor adverse events.

Study Methodology Between Dec 1, 2002 – Feb 28, 2003 NIIH’s Health Communication Specialists surveyed 28 callers who called regarding low-grade fever and/or uncomplicated local reactions in a vaccinated child.

Study Methodology (cont.) The survey included questions regarding: the child’s reaction type of vaccination facility information shared during the office visit how much time was spent with the child’s provider demographic information

Survey Findings

Majority of Callers were Under 30

Most Callers had Some College

Additional Demographic Info 75% of children vaccinated were under 2 years of age (25% were age 2-5) 75% were vaccinated in a private provider’s office (25% at a local health dept) 93% were vaccinated by a nurse (7% by a physician)

Most Callers were Slightly Concerned

Type of Immunization

Most Callers were given Written Info

Minutes Spent Receiving Verbal Info

Information Provided

Adverse Reaction

Where did callers go for more info?

Barriers to Getting More Information

What Information did Callers Want

Referrals Provided

Conclusions Giving the VIS without verbal information is not effective. Young parents particularly need reassurance regarding adverse events. Parents need basic information on treating fever and local reactions. HCPs need to be available for clear follow-up information related to treatment.

Areas for Future Research Is this phenomenon particular to first-time parents? More surveys are needed (target: 150-200) Can VISs be modified in any way to reduce phenomenon?