Using the Power of Narratives in E-Learning for COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Conversations: A Mixed Methods Study in Medical Education [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed an e-learning resource to support medical students in having effective conversations with COVID vaccine hesitant patients (an urgent challenge). Development of information and communication skills elements was underpinned by narrative learning th...

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Main Authors: Aayushi Gupta, Graham Easton, Anita Berlin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: F1000 Research Ltd 2025-05-01
Series:MedEdPublish
Subjects:
Online Access:https://mededpublish.org/articles/13-310/v2
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author Aayushi Gupta
Graham Easton
Anita Berlin
author_facet Aayushi Gupta
Graham Easton
Anita Berlin
author_sort Aayushi Gupta
collection DOAJ
description Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed an e-learning resource to support medical students in having effective conversations with COVID vaccine hesitant patients (an urgent challenge). Development of information and communication skills elements was underpinned by narrative learning theory; learners interact with three fictional characters whose stories run through the resource in activities and role-plays. We co-developed the resource and characters with students, colleagues and local community. Methods We used a mixed methods approach to evaluate the resource, including a survey of pre- and post- module self-confidence scores, and by thematic analysis of a focus group with seven final year medical students to explore their perceptions of how the story elements influenced their learning. Results All students surveyed reported an improvement in their confidence in having effective conversations with vaccine-hesitant patients. The focus group analysis suggests that character-based narratives can promote learning online, particularly through engagement and accessibility, relatability of characters and their stories, improved memory, and emotional connection. Conclusions This study suggests that character-driven stories have potential value in online learning about vaccine hesitancy conversations. Further research is needed to establish the nature of their impact on different aspects of learning including the duration of effect on students' communication skills and any patient-related outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-042df50140e44bdfaa6172ebb5f170612025-08-20T02:06:17ZengF1000 Research LtdMedEdPublish2312-79962025-05-011310.12688/mep.19767.222555Using the Power of Narratives in E-Learning for COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Conversations: A Mixed Methods Study in Medical Education [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]Aayushi Gupta0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0728-5577Graham Easton1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6502-7453Anita Berlin2Institute of Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, England, UKInstitute of Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, England, UKInstitute of Health Sciences Education, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, England, UKBackground During the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed an e-learning resource to support medical students in having effective conversations with COVID vaccine hesitant patients (an urgent challenge). Development of information and communication skills elements was underpinned by narrative learning theory; learners interact with three fictional characters whose stories run through the resource in activities and role-plays. We co-developed the resource and characters with students, colleagues and local community. Methods We used a mixed methods approach to evaluate the resource, including a survey of pre- and post- module self-confidence scores, and by thematic analysis of a focus group with seven final year medical students to explore their perceptions of how the story elements influenced their learning. Results All students surveyed reported an improvement in their confidence in having effective conversations with vaccine-hesitant patients. The focus group analysis suggests that character-based narratives can promote learning online, particularly through engagement and accessibility, relatability of characters and their stories, improved memory, and emotional connection. Conclusions This study suggests that character-driven stories have potential value in online learning about vaccine hesitancy conversations. Further research is needed to establish the nature of their impact on different aspects of learning including the duration of effect on students' communication skills and any patient-related outcomes.https://mededpublish.org/articles/13-310/v2narrative e-learning vaccine hesitancy motivational interviewing medical studentseng
spellingShingle Aayushi Gupta
Graham Easton
Anita Berlin
Using the Power of Narratives in E-Learning for COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Conversations: A Mixed Methods Study in Medical Education [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
MedEdPublish
narrative
e-learning
vaccine hesitancy
motivational interviewing
medical students
eng
title Using the Power of Narratives in E-Learning for COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Conversations: A Mixed Methods Study in Medical Education [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
title_full Using the Power of Narratives in E-Learning for COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Conversations: A Mixed Methods Study in Medical Education [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
title_fullStr Using the Power of Narratives in E-Learning for COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Conversations: A Mixed Methods Study in Medical Education [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
title_full_unstemmed Using the Power of Narratives in E-Learning for COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Conversations: A Mixed Methods Study in Medical Education [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
title_short Using the Power of Narratives in E-Learning for COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Conversations: A Mixed Methods Study in Medical Education [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]
title_sort using the power of narratives in e learning for covid 19 vaccine hesitancy conversations a mixed methods study in medical education version 2 peer review 2 approved
topic narrative
e-learning
vaccine hesitancy
motivational interviewing
medical students
eng
url https://mededpublish.org/articles/13-310/v2
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