The obstetrician-gynecologist's role in vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization.
OBJECTIVE
To assess by survey the immunization role currently played obstetrician-gynecologists in the state of Michigan.


METHODS
Masked questionnaires requesting demographic, knowledge-based, practice, and attitudinal data were sent to 850 ACOG-registered fellows.


RESULTS
Three hundred sixty-five physicians responded, 313 of whom were in active practice. Most were male (70%) and graduated from medical school between 1970 and 1989 (68%). The majority provided both obstetric and gynecologic services. The minority (47%) specifically identified themselves as primary care providers. Only 15% of respondents considered screening for vaccine-preventable diseases to be outside the realm of routine obstetric-gynecologic care. In practice, however, 19% did not screen their obstetric patients for any vaccine-preventable diseases, and only 10% assessed their patients for all nine vaccine-preventable diseases listed in the questionnaire. In gynecologic patients, almost 40% of physicians did not assess for any vaccine-preventable disease. A wide range in knowledge level was identified concerning vaccine-preventable diseases, immunization recommendations, and vaccine safety.


CONCLUSIONS
These data show a discrepancy between perceived responsibilities and actual practice patterns of obstetrician-gynecologists regarding vaccine-preventable diseases and the immunization of women. Limitations in current knowledge and practical concerns specific to vaccine administration contribute to this disparity.
Gonik
B
B
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48235, USA. bgonik@dmc.org
Jones
T
T
Contreras
D
D
Fasano
N
N
Roberts
C
C
D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D009774:Obstetrics; D010819:Physician's Role; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*