Background - A component of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention influenza surveillance system is the U.S. Influenza Sentinel Physicians Surveillance Network. Local health departments are responsible for the difficult task of persuading physicians to participate voluntarily in the surveillance network. Methods - The New York City Department of Health (NYCDOH) began recruiting physicians in fall 2000. Other local health departments were contacted in order to identify successful recruitment strategies. Specific issues addressed were identification of physicians to target, how to contact them, and incentives offered. These suggestions were adapted to utilize NYCDOH resources. Results - Eighteen physicians were recruited successfully during a three-month period. High-yield physician groups included 1)those from teaching hospitals, 2) family medicine physicians, 3) employee health clinics, and 4) physicians who had reported diseases previously to NYCDOH. Recruitment methods included 1) faxing information followed by a phone call, and 2) announcing the program in a physician organization newsletter. Participation incentives included 1) offers to provide residency programs with seminars, 2) invitations to attend NYCDOH conferences, 3) inclusion in the NYCDOH health alert system, 4) use of the program coordinator as a contact resource, and 5) provision of six viral culture test kits. Using these techniques, more physicians were recruited than anticipated. Conclusions - Successful recruitment of physicians into an active surveillance program can be facilitated by identification of potentially receptive physicians, consideration of methods used to communicate program details, and by using incentives that improve access to the local health department.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify four groups of physicians who are receptive to recruitment for active surveillance programs. 2. List five incentives to encourage physicians to participate in surveillance programs. 3. Recognize obstacles to enrolling clinicians in surveillance programs.
Keywords: Surveillance, Providers
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: New York City Department of Health
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment- I am a preventive medicine/public health resident at the New York City Department of Health.