Childhood immunization practices of primary care physicians
W. J. Hueston, R. L. Meade and A. G. Mainous 3rd
Primary Care Division, St Claire Medical Center, Morehead, KY.
OBJECTIVE: To assess if immunization utilization practices differ between
rural and urban primary care physicians in Kentucky. DESIGN: Survey of 200
primary care physicians. PARTICIPANTS: Pediatricians, family physicians,
and general practitioners in Kentucky. SELECTION PROCEDURES: Participants
completed a 20-item questionnaire that surveyed selected demographics with
regard to the physician and practice, immunizations offered to children,
and reasons why the responding physicians did not offer immunizations and
where they referred patients for this service. RESULTS: Physicians
practicing in rural counties offered immunizations to their patients less
frequently than did urban physicians (54% vs 77%). Rural and urban
physicians cited immunization costs to patients as the chief reason that
immunizations were not used more often and referred patients primarily to
county health departments. CONCLUSIONS: Rising costs have limited physician
use of immunizations in rural areas to a greater extent than that seen in
urban areas. This may make access to immunizations more difficult for
children living in rural areas.
