Effect of an intervention on medical resident knowledge and adult immunization rates.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES This study evaluated a change in immunization rates and medical resident knowledge following an educational intervention. Differences in immunization rates based on resident or patient characteristics were also assessed. METHODS This pre- and post-intervention retrospective chart review targeted family medicine and internal medicine residents at the St. Vincent Joshua Max Simon Primary Care Center. A chart review focusing on vaccination rates for three adult vaccines was conducted at baseline and following an educational intervention. A survey was also administered to residents to evaluate a change in their knowledge of adult vaccine recommendations. RESULTS Following the educational intervention, the offer, refusal, and receipt of three targeted vaccines did not demonstrate statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS Continued medical resident education is essential to improve resident knowledge of adult immunization recommendations and adult vaccination rates. However, this study demonstrated that additional strategies are necessary to achieve optimal adult vaccination rates.