Identification of childhood vaccine providers in Maryland.
The purpose of the study was to compare the utility of an American Medical Association (AMA)-derived list and a Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (state)-derived list of potential childhood vaccine providers (CVPs) in identifying true childhood vaccine providers for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program in Maryland. A telephone survey of a sample of physicians from the two lists was used to determine their status as providers of routine vaccinations to children. Results showed a significant difference between the two lists. The state-derived list was composed of an estimated 60.7% CVPs, whereas the AMA-derived list was composed of an estimated 36.7% CVPs. Using the capture-recapture method, it was estimated that there are about 2077 CVPs in Maryland. Based on this figure, the state-derived list would have identified 71.7% of the state's CVPs, and the AMA-derived list would have identified 59.4%. Using the AMA-derived list would have required contacting approximately 1800 extra providers to identify the additional 350 CVPs (16.8%) not identified in the state-derived list. Accurate, up-to-date lists of providers that include pertinent practice characteristics would enhance the ability to contact specific providers for VFC program enrollment and for other clinical and public health purposes.
Fix
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Department of epidemiology and preventive medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, USA.
Dwyer
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Israel
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D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D007223:Infant; D008396:Maryland; D008511:Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013038:Specialization; D013221:State Health Plans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*