Arissa J Sperou1, James A Dickinson2, Bonita Lee3, Marie Louie4,5, Xiao-Li Pang6,7, Linda Chui6,7, Otto G Vanderkooi4,8,9, Stephen B Freedman1,10. 1. Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta. 2. Departments of Family Medicine and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta. 3. Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. 4. Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta. 5. Provincial Laboratory for Public Health, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta. 6. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta. 7. Provincial Laboratory for Public Health, Alberta Health Services, Edmonton, Alberta. 8. Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta. 9. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta. 10. Sections of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children's Hospital and Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Gastroenteritis remains a common paediatric illness. Little is known about physician knowledge of enteric pathogen diagnostic tests. At the time of study conduct, Alberta lacked a publicly funded rotavirus vaccination program and knowledge of primary care physician perspectives was lacking. We sought to ascertain diagnostic testing methods and to understand knowledge and perceptions regarding enteric pathogen vaccination. METHODS: A 30-item electronic survey was distributed across Alberta's five health care zones. The survey was developed by virology, microbiology, paediatrics, family medicine and public health experts. Participants were members of Alberta's Primary Care Networks, the TARRANT network and The Society of General Pediatricians of Greater Edmonton. Study outcomes included: (1) physician knowledge of available diagnostic tests, (2) perspectives regarding stool sample collection and (3) support for an enteric vaccine program. RESULTS: Stool culture was reported as the test to identify parasites (47%), viruses (74%) and Clostridium difficile (67%). Although electron microscopy and enzyme immunoassay were used to identify viruses in Alberta during the study period, only 20% and 48% of respondents respectively identified them as tests employed for such purposes. Stool testing was viewed as being inconvenient (62%; 55/89), whereas rectal swabs were thought to have the potential to significantly improve specimen collection rates (82%; 72/88). Seventy-three per cent (66/90) of the respondent physicians support the adoption of future enteric pathogen vaccines. CONCLUSIONS: Simplification of diagnostic testing and stool sample collection could contribute to improved pathogen identification rates. Implementation of an enteric vaccine into the routine paediatric vaccination schedule is supported by the majority of respondents.
OBJECTIVES: Gastroenteritis remains a common paediatric illness. Little is known about physician knowledge of enteric pathogen diagnostic tests. At the time of study conduct, Alberta lacked a publicly funded rotavirus vaccination program and knowledge of primary care physician perspectives was lacking. We sought to ascertain diagnostic testing methods and to understand knowledge and perceptions regarding enteric pathogen vaccination. METHODS: A 30-item electronic survey was distributed across Alberta's five health care zones. The survey was developed by virology, microbiology, paediatrics, family medicine and public health experts. Participants were members of Alberta's Primary Care Networks, the TARRANT network and The Society of General Pediatricians of Greater Edmonton. Study outcomes included: (1) physician knowledge of available diagnostic tests, (2) perspectives regarding stool sample collection and (3) support for an enteric vaccine program. RESULTS: Stool culture was reported as the test to identify parasites (47%), viruses (74%) and Clostridium difficile (67%). Although electron microscopy and enzyme immunoassay were used to identify viruses in Alberta during the study period, only 20% and 48% of respondents respectively identified them as tests employed for such purposes. Stool testing was viewed as being inconvenient (62%; 55/89), whereas rectal swabs were thought to have the potential to significantly improve specimen collection rates (82%; 72/88). Seventy-three per cent (66/90) of the respondent physicians support the adoption of future enteric pathogen vaccines. CONCLUSIONS: Simplification of diagnostic testing and stool sample collection could contribute to improved pathogen identification rates. Implementation of an enteric vaccine into the routine paediatric vaccination schedule is supported by the majority of respondents.
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