It Works
The Empathetic Refutational Interview (ERI) builds trust, supports informed decisions and increases vaccine confidence, vaccine acceptance and bookings.
Years of rigorous research power the ERI
The ERI was shown to be effective in studies during its development and in practice.
We also hear first-hand from training participants how ERI training has changed their vaccine conversations and improved vaccine uptake in their practices and communities.
The evidence behind the ERI
Strong scientific foundation
The four-step ERI framework was created by combining Motivational Interviewing expertise with cognitive science best practice for correcting misinformation and the psychological science of the motivations (‘attitude roots’) behind vaccine concerns.
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Initial evidence of ERI effectiveness
Across randomised studies, more than 4,000 vaccine-hesitant participants read or watched clinician–patient interactions. Clinicians used either the ERI or the standard information provision. Using the ERI significantly increased vaccine acceptance and improved trust in the clinician.
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UKHSA research partnership: effective training evaluation
With UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) support, we trained around 250 health workers (consultants, GPs, nurses, midwives, outreach workers, administrators and more) in a research evaluation of our ERI workshop. Skills and confidence rose significantly and stayed high after three months, with strong qualitative evidence of clinical impact.
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Controlled study in primary care: increased vaccine bookings
Vaccine consultation outcomes were compared between ten ERI-trained GPs versus ten untrained GPs. Vaccine willingness increased significantly in the patients who had a conversation with a GP trained in the ERI, and 28% more vaccine appointments were booked.
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Next Steps
If you are interested in our training or have any questions, please get in touch via the links below.
Group Bookings (we come to you):
Join an Open Workshop (you come to us):
Ongoing evaluation
We continually evaluate our ERI training and ask workshop attendees to complete pre- and post-training surveys. The survey results show consistent gains in communication confidence, high satisfaction scores and strong positive feedback.
International training evaluation
We continue to collaborate with our international partners from the project, including Dr Pierre Verger in France whose team is also providing ongoing ERI training and evaluation.
Fit with NHS Priorities
The ERI is a teachable, evidence-based approach that:
- equips staff for effective vaccine conversations that support national immunisation targets and patient safety
- builds trust through tailored, patient-centred dialogue, vital for underserved groups
- strengthens frontline capacity to counter misinformation and reduces risk of burnout
- achieves cost-effective, measurable skills that boost patient trust and vaccine uptake
What our trainees say:
