A couple of years ago, “epic fail” was the phrase my teenage son used as I unsuccessfully attempted to beat him in a game we were playing. At the time, I thought to myself it was a harsh but accurate assessment of my performance. And I was certainly motivated to practice on my own so that the next time, things would be different.
That same phrase came to mind as I read through an October 2015 article published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention titled, “Quality of Physician Communication about Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: Findings from a National Survey.” The article describes well the poor performance of the medical community (primarily pediatricians and family physicians) in providing this vaccine. Another source, the most recent National Immunization Survey-Teen 2014, reports another alarming trend: HPV vaccine series initiation and completion continues to lag far behind what it should be.
It came as no surprise to me that the Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention article clearly showed what I have suspected for some time and what has been hinted at by previous studies. The epic failure in providing what is essentially a cancer-prevention vaccine to the recommended population of 11- and 12-year-old boys and girls lies not at the feet of the antivaccine movement or hesitant parents. Rather, the failure belongs to us.
Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
No comments:
Post a Comment