Content and context of a research registry for community-based research.

There is a dearth of evidence relative to the identification and the variability between the prevalence of chronic conditions in the greater geographic community and the prevalence of these chronic conditions reported through community-based primary care practices. Described is the content and context of a research registry and the variation in panels given the means of recruitment. Patients complete a medical form that includes their self-reported demographics, current and past medical conditions, current medications, family history of selected medical conditions, and a release for full access to their medical records. Two panels were examined, those patients served by community-based primary care practices and assessment of those citizens living in the greater underserved population. These results suggest that the recorded frequency of conditions is similar to those found in the most frequent diagnostic clusters reported in literature for primary care visits. Despite the equity of the demographic and geographical area for recruitment, the identified chronic conditions of those recruited from medical practices differed significantly than the participants from community venues. These findings are provocative in that they have an impact on the understanding of the content and context of a primary care community-based research registry, but also the possible variations in panels given the means of recruitment into a registry. These data are relevant not only as a measure of prevalence of conditions seen in primary care, but perhaps more importantly as a measure of the prevention of chronic diseases that disproportionately affect the underserved.

Influenza immunization of medical residents: knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.

BACKGROUND: There have been few studies of barriers to acceptance of influenza immunization among medical residents. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of residents at the Western Pennsylvania Hospital during the 2003-2004 influenza season. An anonymous questionnaire designed specifically for this study was used to collect demographic, health beliefs and attitudes, and medical knowledge data related to the influenza vaccine. RESULTS: 43 residents were surveyed from January to February 2004. 58% of the respondents reported receiving the vaccine. Immunization rates were significantly associated with postgraduate level, prior vaccination, media influence, whether they knew co-residents who were vaccinated, medical knowledge scores, and plan to be vaccinated next year. Immunization rates by age, sex, type of medical school, department, whether they had children younger than 16, whether they would recommend the vaccine to patients, and the respondents' health status did not differ significantly. Residents who had higher medical knowledge scores were significantly more likely to be immunized and recommend the vaccine to patients. CONCLUSIONS: Resident influenza immunization rate in this sample was higher than the national average for healthcare workers. The rate of immunization was associated with demographic, knowledge, and behavioral factors.