title: Sentinel physician networks as a technique for rapid immunization policy surveys.
abstract: This study compared the use of mail and Internet surveys of sentinel networks of physicians with traditional random sample mail surveys for three national vaccine policy surveys. Three nationally representative sentinel networks of physicians were established (pediatricians, n = 427; general internists, n = 438; and family physicians, n = 433). Surveys of the sentinel networks were compared with simultaneous surveys conducted with random samples of the American Medical Association (AMA) Physician Masterfile. Response rates were 74% to 78% for sentinel surveys and 29% to 43% for traditional random sample surveys. Respondents to the two methods were generally comparable in demographic characteristics. While there were some differences in responses to survey topic questions, none of the differences were likely to affect policy decisions. Sentinel networks represent the opinions and experiences of physicians in a manner equivalent to traditional mail surveys and may provide a more efficient approach to conducting physician surveys.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Colorado Health Outcomes Program, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado [corrected] USA. lori.crane@uchsc.edu
authors.forename: Lori A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.forename: Matthew F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Daley
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barrow
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Babbel
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stokley
authors.forename: L Miriam
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Dickinson
authors.forename: Brenda L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Beaty
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kempe
mesh_terms: D003710:Demography; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010820:Physicians; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011177:Postal Service; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines