As a travel nurse, you know moms only want the best for their babies, but research indicated that expectant parents may need some guidance if they are having a baby for the first time. According to a survey of 200 women published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 75 percent of soon-to-be moms planned on vaccinating their children based on the doctor-recommended schedule. However, a quarter of respondents were undecided or aimed to go a different route, either forgoing certain vaccinations or following a more spread-out schedule.
The survey results suggest that part of this discrepancy is due to lack of knowledge about childhood vaccines. An astounding 70 percent of respondents indicated that they did not know the recommended vaccination schedule or what vaccines their children should get. Meanwhile, the moms who planned to stray from the approved schedule were more likely to rely on the Internet for this pertinent information.
However, the study doesn’t address another major vaccine-related issue plaguing patients: fear. Misinformation has made parents scared of the repercussions of vaccinating their children. Because of the great importance vaccines carry to health and safety, it’s vital that all healthcare professionals, including travel nurses, work to address this issue:
Know the root cause of this fear
To be sure, studies are typically excellent sources for information, as they are grounded in facts and data. However, it’s a study that launched the vaccine scare in the first place. According to research published in the BMJ, Andrew Wakefield released “bogus data” in the journal The Lancet in 1998 that linked autism to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. However, that paper was retracted in 2010, as Sunday Times investigator Brian Deer proved Wakefield manipulated evidence and had conflicting interests.
While Wakefield’s claims were debunked, his fraudulent data had a lasting impact. After all, his findings weren’t pulled from The Lancet until over 10 years later. As such, many people still associate vaccines with autism.
Be a source of quality information …
… But also demonstrate compassion and understanding. Moms aren’t vaccinating their babies because they are either scared or need more knowledge on the subject. Family, friends and the Internet have told them that protecting a child’s immunity can cause autism. Meanwhile, they may simply not know where to turn for reliable information.
To keep a strong nurse-patient relationship, it’s important to enter the conversation with the mindset that your patients are coming from a good place. Start by quelling the parents’ fears if they exist. Explain that the vaccine-autism link has been proven false for a number of years and that vaccines are perfectly safe.
It may help to break down step-by-step what the vaccine does. As the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explained, vaccines do contain the virus they’re meant to protect against, but the antigens are either killed or weakened to the point where they can’t cause the disease. The presence of the antigens sparks the immune system’s production of antibodies, so the body will always know how to fight the illness.
Next, explain the dangers associated with not getting vaccinated. This disease prevention process can save lives. After all, 29 percent of 5.2 million annual deaths of kids ages 1-59 months are vaccine-preventable, according to the World Health Organization. Meanwhile, not getting children vaccinated at the recommended schedule puts individuals who haven’t reached the appropriate vaccination age at risk.
Explain the difference between good and bad resources
Even if you’re able to get the mom onboard with vaccinations and provide sufficient information, her previous misunderstanding about this process demonstrates a need for research education. That is, the patient must understand the difference between a reliable and unreliable source of information.
The Internet is abundant in both good and not-so-good sources. For instance, while studies are generally reputable reports, not every researched article holds truth. After all, Wakefield’s data was in a reputable medical journal. That’s not to say parents must stay away from the Web entirely. On the contrary, their computer can offer details on minor medical issues like a cold. However, patients should always regard their healthcare team as the No. 1 source for information. Getting lost in the abyss of the Internet can create misinformed and frightened patients.
Point them in the right direction
Of course, as a busy travel nurse, you and the rest of the patient’s healthcare team may not be available to answer questions in person 24/7. Provide your patients with resources from your medical facility, like brochures or booklets, that you know provide adequate information. Additionally, if your hospital offers an online portal for patients to communicate with physicians, guide them through the sign-up process. Otherwise, let them know they can always call the doctor’s office and speak with a nurse over the phone.
Travel nurses must stress the importance of vaccines and provide quality resources for patients seeking information.