O3263: An Innovative Standardized Patient Video-based Motivational Interviewing Simulation to Address Provider Success with Vaccine Hesitancy

Background: Simulation-based education (SBE), including Simulated Participants (SP) simulation, is an established method to build skills and promote behavior change through life-like experiences constructed to mimic potential real clinical encounters.1 Limited studies have found that utilizing SBE (virtual reality, role-playing, and standardized patient encounters) can be a successful approach to increase provider skills and comfort in employing evidence-based communication strategies to engage with vaccine hesitant families, including motivational interviewing (MI) and the presumptive approach.2,3,4 Access to SPs and SP trainers can limit the use of this methodology, so novel solutions to using SBE may be required.

Methods: We developed an innovative video-based SP simulation curriculum to investigate SBE to address provider success with vaccine hesitancy. The curriculum was adapted for Japan and the Philippines. Simulation scenarios were practiced using Annenberg Hotkeys, a novel and free computer program that requires only a computer and is easily accessible in resource-limited settings. Hotkeys allows for creating realistic patient communication experiences, where specific responses from learners result in different paths of pre-recorded responses. In collaboration with the Japanese Pediatric Society and the Philippines Pediatric Society, three vaccine hesitancy simulation scenarios with multiple conversation pathways were created for each country context , and SP methodology was utilized to train and pre-record responses by local SPs in first person. Pediatricians from the Japan and Philippines Pediatric Societies were trained as facilitators to navigate between various SP responses during the simulations, guide the simulated practice, and vary the difficulty level of responses from the pre-recorded SP. The simulations used a small-group simulation method to allow participants to take turns in practicing the presumptive approach and MI skills in each of the three vaccine hesitancy scenarios.

Results: 52 learners in Japan and 66 in the Philippines participated in the vaccine hesitancy SBE workshop. Learners indicated high satisfaction, rating their experience an average of 9.1 out of 10 in Japan and an average of 9.4 in the Philippines. Following the workshop, 93.8% learners from Japan and 97.9% from the Philippines felt confident in their ability to use evidence-based communication strategies to engage with vaccine hesitant families. Participants specifically noted the case practice offered by the video-based SP simulation was useful to immediately apply new skills and conduct repeated practice. While some participants noted that a live SP would be ideal, many noted that more frequent sessions and continued experiences with the SP simulation would help them support their learnings in the future.

Conclusion: The curriculum offers an SP experience that only uses a computer and can be implemented by a novice facilitator. Additionally, the curriculum highlights the adaptability and acceptability of video-based SPs for global learners when live SP encounters are not feasible , regardless of access to simulation technologies.