Evaluation of a Motivational Interviewing-Based Training Programme in Vaccination Counselling for Family Physicians: A Pre–Post Study in Romania

Background/Objectives: Motivational interviewing (MI) is an established approach to addressing vaccine hesitancy, yet immediate changes following dedicated training for family physicians remain insufficiently documented in Romania. This study evaluated pre–post changes in physicians’ MI knowledge, self-reported communication behaviour, and self-perceived ability to counsel patients about vaccination, together with patient-level change following consultations delivered by trained physicians. Methods: This uncontrolled pre–post study used a voluntary, self-selected non-probability sample of 28 family physicians recruited through announcements distributed via county family medicine associations; participants completed paired assessments immediately before and after structured MI-based training. The three main physician-level outcomes were MI knowledge (MISI), corrected self-reported MI communication behaviour (MIBI), and self-perceived MI ability (SPMI). The linked component comprised 151 patients nested within 15 physicians. Patient changes were averaged within physician, and the physician-level mean patient composite change was used as the principal outcome of this component. Paired physician changes and physician-aggregated patient change were assessed using Wilcoxon tests, rank-biserial effect sizes, and bootstrap 95% confidence intervals (CIs), with Holm adjustment across the three physician outcomes. Results: Mean MISI increased by 39.80 percentage points (95% CI: 29.59–50.51), though the limited internal consistency of this seven-item composite requires item-level interpretation, and corrected MIBI by 0.44 points (95% CI: 0.20–0.68; rrb = 0.75) and SPMI by 1.22 points (95% CI: 0.89–1.61; rrb = 0.99); all Holm-adjusted p-values were <0.001. Across the 15 linked physicians, the mean patient composite change was 0.55 points (95% CI: 0.38–0.75; rrb = 1.00; p < 0.001). No consistent association was observed between physician-level competency changes and mean patient change. Conclusions: Immediate post-training physician scores and post-consultation patient composite scores were higher. Controlled studies incorporating observed consultations and follow-up are required before causal or sustained effects can be inferred.