Piloting short empathetic refutational interview modules in clinical training: Two UK studies

: Holford, Dawn; Anderson, Emma C.; Fisher, Harriet; Gould, Virginia C.; Taubert, Frederike; Karlsson, Linda C.; Lewandowsky, Stephan

Publisher: Elsevier

: 2026

PEC innovation

: 100455

: 8

: 2772-6282

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecinn.2026.100455

: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecinn.2026.100455

: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/508264861

Objective

Our objective was to introduce training in the Empathetic Refutational Interview (ERI), a novel framework for improving vaccine conversations and addressing vaccine misconceptions, as continuing medical education to improve HCPs' vaccine communication confidence.

Methods

We introduced a short-form (60–90 min) ERI training module in two different UK clinical training settings: within a full-length immunisation training day (compared with a control communication module of the same length; Study 1) and as a stand-alone session (Study 2). We conducted a mixed-methods evaluation of training impact on participants' vaccine communication confidence.

Results

Participants were HCPs who attended the training (Study 1: n = 61; Study 2: n = 98). Participants significantly improved their vaccine conversations after training. Control group participants described improved knowledge of information sources as supporting their confidence, while ERI group participants described improved communication skills and techniques. Participants reported that the ERI provided a conversation structure.

Conclusion

Short training modules can improve HCPs' confidence in vaccine communication.

1-s2.0-S2772628226000026-main.pdf

:
This project has received funding from the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme grant 964728 (JITSUVAX).
LCK is supported by funding from the Turku Institute for Advanced Studies.
HF acknowledges support from the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at University of Bristol. The Health Protection Research Unit (HPRU) in Behavioural Science and Evaluation at University of Bristol is part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and a partnership between University of Bristol and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), in collaboration with the MRC Biostatistics Unit at University of Cambridge and University of the West of England.