Childhood Immunization Availability in Primary Care PracticesEffects of Programs Providing Free Vaccines to Physicians
William J. Hueston, MD;
Arch G. Mainous III, PhD;
J. Brad Farrell
Arch Fam Med. 1994;3(7):605-609.
Abstract
Objective
To examine state immunization distribution programs, along with physician practice, training, and attitudinal factors that influence the availability of childhood immunizations in community practices. Design: Multistate survey stratified by rural and urban practice.
Participants
Family physicians in community practices in three states that offer free vaccines to physicians for use in Medicaid recipients (n=287) and three geographically matched states that do not offer free vaccines (n=266).
Results
Physicians practicing in states that offer free vaccines for use in Medicaid populations were more likely to offer immunizations to patients in their practices (92% vs 75%, respectively; P<.001). This difference persisted even after adjusting for other practice variables that are associated with immunization availability. Physicians who did not offer immunizations cited cost factors as the primary reason for not offering this service. Public health departments were used as the referral site for immunization services, but only 59% of the physicians performed follow-up to determine whether patients received immunizations.
Conclusions
State immunization programs that provide vaccines free to physicians are highly associated with practice policies that increase immunization availability.
Author Affiliations
From the Department of Family Medicine, Eau Claire Family Practice Residency, the University of Wisconsin (Dr Hueston and Mr Farrell), and the Department of Family Practice, the University of Kentucky, Lexington (Dr Mainous).
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
|
Assessing Quality of Care via HEDIS 3.0: Is There a Better Way?
Mainous III and Talbert
Arch Fam Med 1998;7:410-413.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
The Cost of Antibiotics in Treating Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in a Medicaid Population
Mainous III and Hueston
Arch Fam Med 1998;7:45-49.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Effect of the Vaccines for Children Program on Inner-city Neighborhood Physicians
Fairbrother et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1997;151:1229-1235.
ABSTRACT
The Impact of the Vaccine for Children's Program on Child Immunization Delivery: A Policy Analysis
Wood and Halfon
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1996;150:577-581.
ABSTRACT
Calculating a Clinic's Childhood Immunization Rate: Costs and Returns
Chapman and Hacker
Arch Fam Med 1995;4:625-627.
ABSTRACT
Childhood Immunization Availability in Primary Care Practices
Vernon
Arch Fam Med 1995;4:97-97.
ABSTRACT
Childhood Immunization Availability in Primary Care Practices
Allen
Arch Fam Med 1995;4:97-97.
ABSTRACT
Childhood Immunization Availability in Primary Care Practices-Reply
Hueston
Arch Fam Med 1995;4:97-98.
ABSTRACT
|
