On March 3, 2003, Dr. Burstin made a presentation in the Web-Assisted Audioconference entitled Addressing the Smallpox Threat: Issues, Strategies, and Tools.
The is the text version of Dr. Burstin's slide presentation. Select to access the PowerPoint® slides (700 KB).
Slide 1 contains text boxes centered on the slide. The left-hand box has the text: "Front-line clinical providers" in it and below that box, examples of front-line providers are given. Patients present with symptoms to: primary care providers, community health centers, and emergency departments. On the right-hand side of the slide is another text box that reads: "Public Health Infrastructure." Under this box are examples: public health departments, state laboratories, emergency preparedness, and hospitals.
Journal of Family Practice: September 2002
Chen et al. (AAFP National Research Network and AHRQ researchers)
National survey of family physicians (pre-anthrax attacks)
Two-thirds of family physicians feel unprepared to deal with a bioterrorist event
Problem #1: Patients often present to their provider with vague symptoms—may be confused with flu
Potential Solutions:
Decision support could help clinicians target the key symptoms or signs of a BT-related diagnosis
Training and point-of-care information could prepare community providers to diagnose and manage patients appropriately
Problem #2: Community providers do not interact with the public health departments or emergency responders
Potential Solutions:
Develop ongoing relationship with the public health infrastructure (e.g., health departments, EMS)
Develop community-based data sharing systems for ongoing surveillance for BT and other public health emergencies (e.g., flu)
Develop role for community providers (and volunteer providers) for public health emergencies
Develop training and information tools that meet the needs of community clinicians (e.g., Vanderbilt, University of Alabama Web site)
Support practice-based research networks of community-based providers to address important questions related to BT preparedness (e.g., Wisconsin, UNC, Cincinnati Children's PBRNs)
Enhance and reinforce linkages and IT connectivity between the health care system and the public health infrastructure (e.g., Indiana PBRN)
Slide contains a screen shot of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's/AHRQ's Bioterrorism and Emerging Infections Web Home Page.
Current as of February 2004
Internet Citation:
The Role of Community-Based Providers in Bioterrorism Preparedness. Text Version of a Slide Presentation at a Web-assisted Audioconference. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/news/ulp/btlinksau/burstintxt.htm
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