[The organization and implementation of influenza vaccination in Groningen, 1993-1996].
OBJECTIVE
To find out to what extent the recommendations from the standard 'Influenza and influenza vaccination' of the Dutch association of general practitioners (NHG) were implemented by the GPs in the period 1993-1996.


METHODS
Descriptive questionnaire study.


METHODS
Municipal Health Services Groningen, the Netherlands.


METHODS
All GPs active in the province of Groningen were sent a questionnaire in the period 1993-1996. Practical support of GPs in organizing influenza vaccination was offered as a part of the project 'Preventie: maatwerk' (Prevention made to measure).


RESULTS
Automated selection of risk patients showed a distinct increase over the years. This increase was greatest in 1996, especially in rural practices. Inviting by personal letter, as recommended in the NHG standard increased to 48% in 1996. Not all GPs organized special vaccination office hours. An increasing number offered vaccination at other times as well. In urban municipalities, vaccine was available in the practice less often. Half the GPs reminded risk patients of the vaccination if they failed to appear. The recorded number of vaccinated patients in Groningen was 9.5% of the population in 1994 (nation-wide: 10.8%), 10.8% in 1995 (nation-wide: 11.5%) and 15.4% in 1996 (nation-wide: 15.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
The attention for programmed prevention in general practice went together with an increase of activities regarding influenza vaccination. Regional monitoring of the influenza vaccination provides data with which the prevention programme can be improved.
Luinstra-Passchier
M J
MJ
Hulpverleningsdienst-GGD Groningen.
Broer
J
J
Tent
B
B
Kuyvenhoven
J V
JV
D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D007252:Influenza Vaccines
Organisatie en uitvoering van de influenzavaccinatie in Groningen, 1993-1996.