How to overcome information and communication barriers in Human Papillomavirus vaccination? A SWOT analysis based on the opinions of European family doctors in contact with young people and their parents

Family doctors (FDs)/General practitioners (GPs) are the key contact points for young people and their parents regarding Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. However, their recommendations are influenced by communication skills. Under the EU4Health project, PROTECT-EUROPE, WONCA Europe led a task to identify and analyse strategies for clinicians’ interpersonal communication skills when discussing HPV and its vaccination with young people and their parents. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) analysis using qualitative data focused on HPV vaccine acceptance and communication with the target population. FDs/GPs, members of WONCA Europe, were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling through surveys at conferences and emails. 223 FDs/GPs from 36 countries participated. Strengths included face-to-face communication, extensively used to promote the HPV vaccine. Weaknesses involved financial constraints, limited knowledge about gender-neutral vaccination, safety concerns, and time pressure during the consultations. Opportunities included confidentiality, open dialogue, trusting relationship between FDs/GPs and the target population, continuing medical education, school training, and questions & answers sessions to increase vaccine communication. Threats included social norms and cultures, stigmas against HPV, and anti-vaccination movements hindering discussions on HPV vaccination. It is crucial to train FDs/GPs to address knowledge gaps, enhance communication skills, and maintain a trusting relationship with patients when discussing HPV vaccination. Overcoming financial barriers and ensuring gender-neutral vaccination programs are accessible across Europe are also essential. Providing accurate information through the web- and school-based channels and developing community-oriented approaches targeting sociocultural factors and different needs to eliminate HPV vaccine stigmas should be considered when recommending the vaccine. Face-to-face, trust-based communication is a strength and opportunity for FDs/GPs to promote the HPV vaccine in all countries. The lack of free-of-charge, nationally implemented gender-neutral vaccination represents a policy weakness needing improvement. Stigma and vaccine hesitancy pose major threats, which FDs/GPs must proactively address, supported by robust public health policies.