Journal article
Disease Reporting Among Georgia Physicians and Laboratories
Journal of public health management and practice, v 16(6), pp 535-543
01 Nov 2010
PMID: 20885184
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Opportunities for improved disease reporting are identified by describing physicians' reporting knowledge and practices as well as reporting knowledge and specimen referral patterns among clinical laboratories in the state of Georgia. In 2005, a sample of physicians (n = 177) and all Georgia clinical laboratories (n = 139) were surveyed about reporting knowledge and practices. Knowledge was greater among physicians who received their medical degree before 1980 (P = .04), accessed e-mail (P < .01), used the Internet to obtain public health information (P < .01), and reported frequently (P = .06). Increased knowledge was not associated with training in reporting (P = .14). Physicians were often unaware of reporting procedures and mechanisms and often did not report because they believed others would report (52%). Laboratory representatives (56%) more often received training on disease reporting than physicians (32%). All laboratories sent some specimens for diagnostic testing at reference laboratories and 35% sent the specimens outside of Georgia. Physicians' characteristics may affect reporting knowledge independent of training on disease reporting, and increased knowledge is associated with increased reporting. Investigation of physician characteristics that contribute to improved reporting, such as an active engagement with public health, could help to guide changes to reporting-related training and technology. Reporting by other health care providers and physicians' perceptions that others will report both indicate that studies of all reporting stakeholders and clear delineation of reporting responsibilities are needed. Extensive specimen referral by laboratories suggests the need for coordination of reporting regulations and responsibilities beyond local boundaries.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Disease Reporting Among Georgia Physicians and Laboratories
- Creators
- Colleen M. McClean - University of California, San DiegoBenjamin J. Silk - Emory UniversityJames W. Buehler - Emory UniversityRuth L. Berkelman
- Publication Details
- Journal of public health management and practice, v 16(6), pp 535-543
- Publisher
- Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
- Number of pages
- 9
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Health Management and Policy
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000282482200009
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-78049461442
- Other Identifier
- 991021895790604721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
InCites Highlights
Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health