title: Role of primary care providers in a pandemic - conflicting views and future opportunities.
abstract: In pandemic situations, primary care providers may be involved in a variety of roles related to disease surveillance, diagnosis and treatment, prevention, and patient education. This commentary describes the contextual factors that may influence primary care providers' perspectives on their pandemic roles and responsibilities. These factors include the natural evolution of the pandemic situation, with early uncertainty affecting decision-making and communication; the variation in typical practice patterns and clinical expertise across and within primary care providers; and the lack of representation of practicing primary care providers in pandemic planning and decision-making bodies.
authors.affiliation: Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Unit, University of Michigan, 300 N Ingalls, Rm 6E06, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5456 USA.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Clark
keywords: Pandemic influenza; Primary care; Public health