Utilization of pneumococcal vaccine in a family practice residency.

Pneumococcal diseases continue to account for a significant amount of morbidity and mortality in family practice. Daily charts audits revealed significant underutilization of pneumococcal vaccine in a family practice residency. Identified primary factors for pneumococcal vaccine underutilization were inadequate physician knowledge regarding the vaccine and failure to consider vaccine need during physician-patient encounters. A physician education update regarding vaccine indications and use was completed. A questionnaire was developed and given to each patient, allowing the physician to quickly evaluate each patient's need for pneumococcal vaccine. Evaluation of the first 1,000 questionnaires revealed the approximately 20 percent of the patients had indications for pneumococcal vaccine. Evaluation of immunization records revealed significant increased utilization of the pneumococcal vaccine following initiation of the questionnaire. Patient questionnaires such as this can prove to be a useful tool in the evaluation and provision of preventive medicine services in the family practice setting.