Tools to Identify Appropriate Problems to Solve – Flu Vaccination

The following tools can help stakeholders focus on the most pertinent problem(s) to solve.

Workflow Analysis

The workflow analysis, or process mapping, can be a useful exercise to help the team find bottlenecks and opportunities to improve practice

Root Causes of Practice Challenges

The Fishbone diagram can help identify root causes of practice challenges

  • A structured team process is used to identify causes of a health care problem
  • Brainstorm sessions highlight possible causes of a problem and sort them into categories
  • Output informs the development of an action plan to improve on challenges, care, and/or outcomes

Root Causes of Practice Challenges Document

Select resources include:

Defining Potential Challenges for Flu Vaccination

The following represents common challenges that can contribute to low flu vaccination rates. Stakeholders can take these factors into consideration when exploring and identifying potential problems to solve in their health system

  • Lack of knowledge about flu vaccination and disease burden among practice team
  • Lack of process or method for tracking flu vaccination rates and documenting refusals  
  • Lack of urgency or strong recommendations from practice team
  • Practice-based challenges in ordering, storing, and billing for vaccines
  • Cultural sensitivities in the community
  • Patient hesitancy, misunderstanding, or fear of vaccination 
  • Lack of patient education on benefits of flu vaccination (or seriousness of flu), particularly associated with chronic health conditions

Issue and Cause Worksheet

The following table can be used to help stakeholders outline the specific problems to solve, as well as the respective causes surrounding them, which will eventually help inform solutions.

If you have used a DRIVE Toolkit to improve health outcomes or need additional assistance, please contact us by filling out the form below.