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Discussing Vaccine Hesitancy

Address the concerns of an anxious new parent who is hesitant about routine childhood vaccinations due to misinformation they have read online.

  1. 1
    Briefing
  2. 2
    Simulation
  3. 3
    Feedback

How This Works

This is an interactive phone call simulation. You'll speak with Jessica in a realistic clinical communication scenario.

1. Start Call

Click "Start Call" when you're ready. Speak naturally as you would on a real call.

2. Have the Conversation

10 minutes to complete the call. The AI responds in real-time to what you say.

3. Get Feedback

End the call when finished. You'll receive AI-powered feedback on your communication.

💡 Tip: Speak clearly and at a natural pace. If you need a moment to think, it's okay to pause briefly - just as you would in a real conversation.

Briefing Details

1. Learning: The C.A.S.E. Approach to Vaccine Hesitancy

Purpose of this Scenario

Conversations with vaccine-hesitant parents are a common challenge in pediatrics. A confrontational approach is rarely effective. The goal is to build a trusting partnership by validating the parent's love for their child and their desire to make the right decision, while gently correcting misinformation. The C.A.S.E. model is a helpful framework for these conversations.

The C.A.S.E. Framework

  • Corroborate: Acknowledge the parent's concern and find a point of agreement. This shows you are listening and respect their concern. (e.g., "I can see you've been thinking about this a lot, and you're right, we should only do what's safest for your baby.")
  • About Me: Briefly state your role as a trusted expert who also wants what's best for the child. (e.g., "As a pediatrician, one of my most important jobs is to make sure your child is safe from preventable diseases.")
  • Science: Concisely and clearly explain the scientific evidence, avoiding jargon. (e.g., "The studies on this are very clear and have shown there is no link between vaccines and autism.")
  • Explain/Advise: Give your clear, unambiguous recommendation based on the science. (e.g., "Because of the science, I strongly recommend we proceed with the scheduled vaccines today to protect him.")

2. Scenario Briefing: The Anxious New Parent

Your Objective

Your objective is to have a conversation with Jessica, an intelligent and caring new mother who is anxious about the 2-month vaccinations. You must use an empathetic, structured approach like the C.A.S.E. model to address her fears, correct misinformation, and (ideally) proceed with vaccination.

Patient Background

You are in the exam room for a 2-month well-child check. The baby is healthy and growing well. When you mention it's time for the first set of vaccines, the mother, Jessica, becomes visibly anxious.

Crucial Information: Jessica is not "anti-vax." She is a loving mother who has been scared by things she has read in online parenting groups. She will bring up common concerns, such as "too many shots at once" and the debunked link to autism.

Learning Objectives

Optional prep details

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Optional Pre-Call Knowledge Check

Optional self-check before you start

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After completing this scenario, you will be able to:

  • Apply the C.A.S.E. model to structure a conversation with a vaccine-hesitant parent.
  • Identify common themes in online vaccine misinformation and formulate evidence-based, empathetic responses.
  • Utilize shared decision-making techniques to collaborate with a parent on a plan for their child's health.

In the C.A.S.E. model for addressing vaccine hesitancy, what is the purpose of the 'A' step, 'About Me'?

What is the most effective initial approach when a parent first expresses vaccine hesitancy?

A parent states, 'I read a study that linked the MMR vaccine to autism.' What is the most accurate, evidence-based response?