{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,20]],"date-time":"2026-06-20T00:08:46Z","timestamp":1781914126480,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":70,"publisher":"BMJ","issue":"1","content-domain":{"domain":["bmj.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Med Humanities"],"accepted":{"date-parts":[[2015,9,14]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2016,3]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>The December 2014 outbreak of measles in California impacted over 100 children and served as a reminder that this disease still plagues the USA, even 50\u2005years following the first licensed vaccine. Refusal of vaccination is a complicated and multifaceted issue, one that clearly demands a closer look by paediatricians and public health officials alike. While medical doctors and scientists are trained to practice \u2018evidence-based medicine\u2019, and studies of vaccine safety and efficacy speak the language of statistics, there is reason to believe that this is not the most effective strategy for communicating with all groups of parents. Herein, we consider other methods such as narrative practices that employ stories and appeal more directly to parents. We also examine how doctors are trained to disseminate information and whether there are reasonable supplementary methods that could be used to improve vaccine communication and ultimately immunisation rates.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1136\/medhum-2015-010761","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2015,11,30]],"date-time":"2015-11-30T20:00:25Z","timestamp":1448913625000},"page":"31-35","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/crossmarkpolicy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":17,"title":["Storytelling in the context of vaccine refusal: a strategy to improve communication and immunisation"],"prefix":"10.1136","volume":"42","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7873-1896","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Philip B","family":"Cawkwell","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Medical Humanities, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"David","family":"Oshinsky","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Medical Humanities, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"239","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2015,10,5]]},"reference":[{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2011-1430"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2105\/AJPH.35.7.732"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.3","unstructured":"Neal P . As I am. Simon & Schuster, 2011."},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.4","unstructured":"Sturrock D . Storyteller: the authorized biography of Roald Dahl. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2011."},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.5","first-page":"241","article-title":"Ten great public health achievements\u2014United States, 1900\u20131999","volume":"48","author":"Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)","year":"1999","journal-title":"MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1086\/377696"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"260","DOI":"10.1128\/CMR.8.2.260","article-title":"Measles control in the United States: problems of the past and challenges for the future","volume":"8","author":"Wood","year":"1995","journal-title":"Clin Microbiol Rev"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.8","first-page":"373","article-title":"Measles\u2014United States, January 4\u2013April 2, 2015","volume":"64","author":"Clemmons","year":"2015","journal-title":"MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMp1209051"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMoa0706589"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.11","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.312.7023.71"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.12","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/ACM.0b013e3182951959"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/virtualmentor.2013.15.1.mhst1-1301"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/ebm.7.2.36"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4103\/0019-5413.30519"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/506150a"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/2047-2501-2-3"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.g5630"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.19","first-page":"198","article-title":"Evidence-based medicine and the Cochrane Collaboration","volume":"67","author":"Tanjong-Ghogomu","year":"2009","journal-title":"Bull NYU Hosp Jt Dis"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2010-1722E"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.21","unstructured":"US Food and Drug Administration. Gardasil Vaccine Safety . 2009. http:\/\/www.fda.gov\/BiologicsBloodVaccines\/SafetyAvailability\/VaccineSafety\/ucm179549.htm (last update 15 Jul 2014)."},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.22","first-page":"2157","article-title":"The HPV vaccine: an analysis of the FUTURE II study","volume":"53","author":"Howard","year":"2007","journal-title":"Can Fam Physician"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.23","unstructured":"42 U.S. Code \u00a7 300aa\u201326."},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.24","unstructured":"Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaccine Information Statements (VIS). Secondary Vaccine Information Statements (VIS). 2013. http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/vaccines\/hcp\/vis\/about\/facts-vis.html"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.25","unstructured":"Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Gardasil\u00ae VIS , 2013. http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/vaccines\/hcp\/vis\/vis-statements\/hpv-gardasil.html"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.107.2.e17"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.27","unstructured":"Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Talking with Parents about Vaccines for Infants . 2012. http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/vaccines\/hcp\/patient-ed\/conversations\/downloads\/talk-infants-color-office.pdf"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/009365096023002003"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.vaccine.2013.12.038"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/0895-4356(96)00007-8"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.31","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(97)11096-0"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"949","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(05)75696-8","article-title":"MMR vaccination and autism","volume":"354","author":"Wakefield","year":"1999","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(05)78423-3"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(99)01239-8"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/sj.mp.4001163"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Taylor B , Miller E , Lingam R , et al . Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination and bowel problems or developmental regression in children with autism: population study. 2002.","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.324.7334.393"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.37","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1056\/NEJMoa021134"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(04)15715-2"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.d22"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(10)60175-4"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0264-410X(03)00532-2"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2009-1962"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1345\/aph.1Q318"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.44","unstructured":"Committee ISR . Immunization safety review: measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism. National Academies Press, 2001."},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Durbach N . Bodily matters: the anti-vaccination movement in England. Durham and London: Duke University Press, 2005.","DOI":"10.1215\/9780822386506"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.46","unstructured":"Allen EW . The vaccination inquirer and health review. London: Hay Nisbet & Co., 1880."},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.47","unstructured":"Conis E . Jenny McCarthy's new war on science: Vaccines, autism and the media's shame. Salon.com, 8 Nov 2014. http:\/\/www.salon.com\/2014\/11\/08\/jenny_mccarthys_new_war_on_science_vaccines_autism_and_the_medias_shame\/"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.48","unstructured":"McCarthy J . Louder than words: a mother's journey in healing autism. New York, NY: Plume, 2008."},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.vaccine.2009.12.022"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.50","unstructured":"Great Mothers (and others) Questioning Vaccines. Facebook community. https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/GMAOQV"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4161\/hv.25959"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2013-2365"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/BF02879904"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/1090198106291963"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.0022-3506.2004.00268.x"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.56","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/0003-066X.46.3.187"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.57","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1108\/09534819610128760"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.58","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bevir M . Encyclopedia of governance. SAGE Publications, 2006.","DOI":"10.4324\/9780203969090"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.59","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pec.2007.04.003"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.60","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/08858190209528843"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.61","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/10410230902804091"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.62","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"323","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.318.7179.323","article-title":"Narrative based medicine in an evidence based world","volume":"318","author":"Greenhalgh","year":"1999","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.63","unstructured":"Doctors Learn to Talk Vaccines. The Wall Street Journal, 16 Feb 2015. http:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/doctors-learn-to-talk-vaccines-1424126566"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.64","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2004-2825L"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.65","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1097\/00001888-200312000-00016"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.66","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2011-0586"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.67","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1001\/archpedi.157.2.191"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.68","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2009-3514"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.69","unstructured":"Dahl R . Measles: a dangerous illness. 1986. http:\/\/roalddahl.com\/roald-dahl\/timeline\/1960s\/november-1962"},{"key":"2025092411330454000_42.1.31.70","unstructured":"Oshinsky D . Polio: an American story. Oxford University Press, 2005."}],"container-title":["Medical Humanities"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/syndication.highwire.org\/content\/doi\/10.1136\/medhum-2015-010761","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,24]],"date-time":"2025-09-24T18:33:15Z","timestamp":1758738795000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/mh.bmj.com\/lookup\/doi\/10.1136\/medhum-2015-010761"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2015,10,5]]},"references-count":70,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2016,3,1]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2016,3]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1136\/medhum-2015-010761"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1136\/medhum-2015-010761","relation":{},"ISSN":["1468-215X","1473-4265"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1468-215X","type":"print"},{"value":"1473-4265","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2015,10,5]]}}}