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Background: The American Travel Health Nurses Association (ATHNA) is the only organization in North America focused solely on the professional development of nurses caring for the international traveler. Immunizations are a critical component of the pre-travel visit. Since 2004 ATHNA has developed multiple communication methods to inform and educate nurses about travel vaccines. In 2012 ATHNA undertook a descriptive study to evaluate these methods.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine how ATHNA members perceive the value of 4 immunization communications: web postings, bimonthly newsletter, Facebook page, and online puzzles.
Methods: 152 ATHNA members were invited to complete a 10 item electronic questionnaire using Surveymonkey.
Results: Overall response rate was 45% (81 % RNs / 19% Advanced practice nurses). 87% ranked the ATHNA newsletter as very useful. The website update, What’s News, ranked second with 67% rating it very useful. 57% of members either don’t use Facebook (26%) or have not yet used this newest communication method (31%). 22% of respondents rate puzzles as very useful but 40% do not do them. Members ranked 7 potential communications in descending order from what I really need to not important to me: CE programs, resources lists, email blasts, more newsletter immunization content, standing orders, pediatric content, and chat room. Respondents listed 23 other immunization resources they regularly use.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that ATHNA is meeting the perceived needs of its members for immunization information and education with newsletters and the What’s News web column. Facebook and puzzles were not the most widely used vehicles for obtaining immunization information and education in this group. Respondents ranked three potential immunization communications: #1 CE programs, #2 more immunization resource listings and #3 email blasts about immunization updates.