title: Physicians' confidence in vaccine safety studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To ascertain, through two separate surveys among nationally representative networks of pediatricians (Peds) and family physicians (FM): 1) physicians' reported level of confidence in pre- and post-licensure vaccine safety studies; and 2) changes in reported level of confidence from 2007 to 2010/11.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two surveys were conducted in August to October 2007 and in November 2010 to January 2011. The survey response rates were 81% (FM, 79%, Peds, 84%, p=0.07) for the 2007 survey (691/848) and 66% (FM, 61%, Peds, 70%, p=0.003) for the 2010/11 survey (532/811).
  
  
  RESULTS
  One in three family physicians compared to one in ten pediatricians in both surveys reported little or no confidence in pre-licensure vaccine safety studies (p<0.001). Compared to pre-licensure studies, higher percentages of both specialties reported a great deal of confidence in post-licensure vaccine safety studies in both years, and more physicians from both specialties reported a great deal of confidence in 2010/11 than in 2007.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While most family physicians and pediatricians report confidence in post-licensure vaccine safety studies, one third of family physicians report little or no confidence in pre-licensure studies. More research is needed to better understand the reasons behind some physicians' lack of confidence in vaccine safety studies.
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA. sean.o'leary@childrenscolorado.org
authors: Sean T
authors: ST
authors: O'Leary
authors: Mandy A
authors: MA
authors: Allison
authors: Shannon
authors: S
authors: Stokley
authors: Lori A
authors: LA
authors: Crane
authors: Laura P
authors: LP
authors: Hurley
authors: Brenda
authors: B
authors: Beaty
authors: Allison
authors: A
authors: Kempe
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D010372:Pediatrics; D010821:Physicians, Family; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D012449:Safety; D014481:United States; D014612:Vaccines
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines