New National Poll: Docs Say This Flu Season Nothing To Sneeze At
Results of a new national survey of physicians confirm that a vast majority of U.S. physicians don't have adequate reserves of injectable flu vaccine, while revealing that doctors believe this year's flu epidemic hasn't yet reached its peak.Thursday, December 25, 2003 10:27 AM
Results of a new national survey of physicians confirm that a vast majority of U.S. physicians don't have adequate reserves of injectable flu vaccine, while revealing that doctors believe this year's flu epidemic hasn't yet reached its peak.
"We conducted the national survey to assess physicians' views and treatment patterns with respect to this year's flu epidemic," said Christopher P. Borick, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science and director of the Institute for Public Opinion at Muhlenberg College. "Our data underscore the seriousness of this year's flu virus, gauged by the number of patients who are presenting with the flu as well as precautions physicians are taking to protect themselves against the virus."
The national e-survey - "Survey of National Influenza Physician Habits (S.N.I.P.H.)" - was conducted for Muhlenberg College by HCD Research between December 12 and 15, among a nationally representative sample of 609 primary care physicians. Among the findings:
· More than half of physicians (52.7%) report that they have more patients in their practice presenting with symptoms of the flu than in previous years.
· Nearly a third (32.5%) believe the symptoms with which patients are presenting are more severe than in previous years.
· More than eight in 10 physicians (82.8%) believe that the flu epidemic has not yet reached its peak.
· Nearly one in three physicians (28.2%) have hospitalized a patient due to the flu.
· Eight in 10 physicians (80.6%) that they don't have adequate supplies of injectable flu vaccine available.
· A vast majority (84.5%) of physicians have either received the flu vaccine or plan to receive it.
"In addition to these national findings, our data analysis unearthed some interesting trends with respect to specific regions of the country," remarked Ken Kirsch, Director, Marketing Research Analysis, HCD Research. "For example, physicians in the northeast report seeing fewer patients with flu symptoms and believe most strongly that the flu epidemic hasn't reached its peak. However, one trend was universal: the vast majority of physicians in all geographic regions have protected themselves or plan to gain protection against the virus through flu vaccine, while acknowledging that the vaccine is in short supply."
Influenza - commonly called "the flu" - is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Infection with influenza viruses can result in severe illness and life-threatening complications. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), an estimated 10 to 20 percent of U.S. residents get the flu each year; an average of 114, 000 people are hospitalized for flu-related complications and 36,000 Americans die each year from complications of flu. The CDC reports that, through December 6, 24 state health departments reported widespread influenza activity, 15 states and New York City reported regional activity, six states reported local influenza activity and five states and Guam reported sporadic influenza activity.
Founded in 2001, the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion (MCIPO) has become a respected source of public opinion data on local, statewide and national issues. Headquartered in Flemington, N.J., HCD Research is a pioneer in Internet health care marketing and advertising research.
