A picture speaks a thousand words: evaluation of a pictorial post-vaccination care resource in Australia
Hammad Ali A C , Holly Seale A , Kirsten Ward B and Nicholas Zwar AA School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
B General Practice New South Wales, GPO Box 5433, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: drhammadali@gmail.com
Australian Journal of Primary Health 16(3) 246-251 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY10002
Published: 6 September 2010
Abstract
Evaluating the ‘Common Reactions to Vaccination’ post-vaccination care resource was seen as an opportunity to contribute to the limited literature base in this important area, learn from the strengths and weaknesses of the resource and gain insight into post-vaccination care practices. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 general practitioners and 29 practice nurses in New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Structured interview guides were used and data was analysed thematically. A self-administered survey was also distributed to parents or guardians during routine childhood vaccination visits. When compared with previous resources, participants felt the new resource was more appropriate as it had a simple layout; it was colourful, incorporated pictures and had basic and practical information. Information about post-vaccination care and common reactions to vaccination must be provided in written form accompanied by a verbal reinforcement so that patients can revisit the information at a later stage if required. The ‘Common Reactions to Vaccination’ post-vaccination care resource provides comprehensive information in an easy-to-understand pictorial way and was appreciated by both vaccination providers and patients.
Additional keywords: general practice, immunisation.
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to Dr Alan Leeb, Anna Billingham, the Illawarra Division of General Practice and Barwon Division of General Practice for their support in piloting the interviews. Thanks also to the divisions who participated in this evaluation, namely: Shire GPs, GP Access, Central Sydney General Practice Network, Macarthur Division of General Practice, Went West Ltd, Hawksbury Hills DGP, Riverina Division of General Practice, ACT Division of General Practice, South East Sydney Division of General Practice, Shoalhaven Division of General Practice, NSW Central West Division of General Practice, Northern Rivers General Practice Network and the Blue Mountains Division of General Practice. The project was supported by the General Practice NSW Immunisation Program, which receives funding from the Commonwealth Government, Department of Health and Ageing.
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