Physican Survey Results: Rotavirus Vaccine

In March 2010 the BC Centre for Disease Control conducted a province-wide survey of general practitioners/ family physicians (GP/FP) and paediatricians to assess physician knowledge, attitudes and practices about rotavirus infection and immunization. Key findings were:

• A total of 594 physicians responded, for a response rate of 39%
• A quarter of GP/FPs and 41% of paediatricians currently recommend the rotavirus vaccine, and 94% reported that they would recommend it if it was publicly funded
• Knowledge about the vaccine was generally good, although physicians reported that parental knowledge about the potential severity of rotavirus gastroenteritis in children was low.

The BCCDC would like to thank all physicians who took the time to respond to the survey, and to congratulate Dr. Ewa Jussak-Kiellerman, a family physician in Victoria, BC who won the draw for a gift certificate for participating in this survey.

More information about illness caused by rotavirus and vaccine to prevent rotavirus is available at:

HealthLinkBC
http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile104.stm