• Cassandra L Boness, Mackenzie Nelson, and Antoine B Douaihy.
• From the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA (CLB, MN, ABD) and University of New Mexico, Center on Alcohol, Substance use, and Addictions (CASAA), Albuquerque, NM (CLB). cboness@unm.edu.
• J Am Board Fam Med. 2022 Mar 1; 35 (2): 420-426.

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), vaccine hesitancy, defined as a behavioral phenomenon whereby individuals neither fully accept nor fully reject the COVID-19 vaccine, presents a major health threat in the midst of the current pandemic. Traditional approaches for addressing vaccine hesitancy in health care lack empirical support and, in some instances, have actually increased vaccine hesitancy. Thus, there is an urgent need for approaches that effectively address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, especially in health care settings. The current article highlights the need for and importance of motivational interviewing (MI), which emphasizes collaborative communication between physicians and patients, in addressing vaccine hesitancy. We describe a 3-step process for addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy that includes using a guiding style, using the MI toolbox, and responding mindfully and skillfully to the individual's degree of hesitancy. The discussion concludes with a consideration of possible challenges in implementing these steps when addressing and resolving COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.© Copyright 2022 by the American Board of Family Medicine.

17 keywords...

hide…