Abstract
Background: The Human Papillomavirus vaccine protects patients against Human Papillomavirus-related infection and cancers, yet it is underutilized. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Cancer Society now recommend starting the vaccine series at age 9 years. Medical Assistants can play a pivotal role in identifying and facilitating Human Papillomavirus vaccination in 9-year-old children and are the focus of this project.
Aim Statement: This project aims to examine whether one educational session can improve the perceptions, knowledge, and comfort level of Medical Assistants regarding Human Papillomavirus vaccination, thus promoting the vaccination in the pediatric clinic setting, especially with 9-year-old patients.
Methods: The project took place at three separate clinics of one pediatric organization in Utah.
Interventions: A 10–15-minute educational session about the Human Papillomavirus vaccine was presented to the Medical Assistants at each clinic, and a pre- and post-survey method was used to analyze the effect of the education on perceptions, knowledge, and comfort level in vaccinating 9-year-old children.
Results: Post-education data showed improvements in Medical Assistants’ perceptions, knowledge, and comfort levels regarding the Human Papillomavirus vaccine. Comfort level of initiating the vaccine series at age 9 increased from 75% pre-survey to 100% post-survey. Pre-survey, 62.5% of Medical Assistants believed the Human Papillomavirus vaccine was effective; post-survey 100% of Medical Assistants believed the Human Papillomavirus vaccine was effective. When comparing pre- and post-survey results, respectively, 75% of Medical Assistants believed the Human Papillomavirus vaccine was safe compared to 100%.
Conclusions: An educational intervention on Human Papillomavirus vaccine improves perceptions, increases knowledge, and boosts comfort levels for Medical Assistants recommending the vaccine in the pediatric clinic setting.