New Research Points to Need for More Education for Front-Line Physicians

LEAWOOD, Kan. — Few family physicians feel adequately trained to handle a bioterrorist event, says an article in today’s Journal of Family Practice. The article, “On The Front Lines: Family Physicians’ Preparedness for Bioterrorism,” reports that 95 percent of the more than 600 family physicians surveyed agreed that a bioterrorist attack is a real threat in the United States. The survey was conducted in October 2001 as Americans grappled with an onslaught of information related to bioterrorism.

“The results of the study are a call to action,” said John Hickner, M.D., Director of the National Network for Family Practice and Primary Care. “It is important to remember the timing of the survey. It was sent to family physicians after September 11th, and during the anthrax mailings, when there was a heightened awareness of bioterrorism. Had the survey been sent six months earlier, we may have received completely different results.”

Twenty-six percent of respondents felt that they would know what to do as a doctor in the event of a bioterrorist attack. Additionally, 18 percent reported that they had previous training in bioterrorism preparedness. Those who had training felt confident that they could adequately respond to a bioterrorist attack. The study was conducted by the American Academy of Family Physicians’ National Network for Family Practice and Primary Care Research and the Center for Primary Care Research, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

The AAFP National Network for Family Practice and Primary Care Research has applied for a 5-year AHRQ grant to start a National Bioterrorism Sentinel Surveillance and Education Network. They intend to recruit 1,000 family physicians nationwide and train them in disease surveillance methods so that they can serve as a potential early warning system for bioterrorism events. Family physicians and other primary care health professionals are the first point of health care for most U.S. citizens, making them the best professionals for such surveillance activity. A second survey is planned to determine how physicians’ attitudes about bioterrorism preparedness have changed.

The Academy continues to develop other education opportunities on bioterrorism. The AAFP also maintains a Web site, www.aafp.org/btresponse that offers patient information, physician education materials and AAFP resources.