The Avian Influenza Pandemic and Physicians' Perception of Preparedness

Oberdorfer, Joseph R., The avian influenza pandemic and physicians’ perception of preparedness. Master of Science (Biomedical Sciences) May, 2008, 77 pp., 5 tables, 3 figures, bibliography 84 titles. Prepared physicians may reduce the mortality and morbidity in patients affected during an avian influenza pandemic. However, repeated surveys of preparedness is physicians indicate that physicians are not confident in the preparedness plans. A survey of 86 physicians was performed to test the perception of preparedness. Multivariable regression analysis indicated that predictors of male gender, OR=29.5, 95%CI=1.172-740.541, ability to access the internet, OR=0.4, 95%CI=1.172-740.541, ability to access the internet, OR=0.4, 95%CI=0.250-0.779, patient education efforts, OR=2.9, 95%CI=1.403-6.163, utilization of electronic records, OR=1.1, 95%CI=1.123-3.514, practicing physical manipulation, OR=1.6, 95%CI=1.022-2.432, and knowledge of government plans, OR=0.5, 95%CI=0.250-0.974, predict better physician preparedness, which was defined as an aggregate score of knowledge and capacity to avian influenza pandemic planning. These results suggest an understanding of the relationship of knowledge and capacity is important in developing a better understanding of physician perception of preparedness.