Skip to main content

Table 3 Unhelpful and helpful strategies for addressing parental concerns about vaccination

From: Communicating with parents about vaccination: a framework for health professionals

Unhelpful

Helpful [51]

Directing style – “this is what you should do”

Guiding style – “may I help you?”

Righting reflex – using information and persuasion to achieve change

Care with body language

Missing cues

Eliciting concerns

Using jargon

Asking permission to discuss

Discrediting information source

Acknowledging/listening/empathising

Overstating vaccine safety

Determining readiness to change

Confrontation

Informing about benefits and risks

 

Giving or signposting appropriate resources