Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

------------------------------------------------------------

May 22, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Interventions That Increase Use of Adult Immunization and Cancer Screening Services: A Meta-Analysis" Annals of Internal Medicine Online (www.annals.org) (05/07/02) Vol. 136, No. 9, P. 641; Stone, Eric G.; Morton, Sally C.; Hulscher, Marlies E.

Up until now, the relative effectiveness of various approaches used to encourage preventive care activities, such as adult immunization and cancer screening have been unknown, despite numerous high-quality published studies.  As a result, policymakers have not had the detailed information they needed to improve preventive care.  For that reason, researchers examined over 500 articles and abstracts that detailed clinical trials into the increased use of screening for various forms of cancer and immunizations for pneumococcal pneumonia and influenza.  The study found that the best intervention types were those that actually involved organizational change, such as the use of a planned care visit for prevention, the designation of nonphysician workers to take care of specific prevention activities, and the use of separate clinics devoted to prevention.  The next most effective intervention components, according to the study, were patient reminders and patient financial incentives.  The study concluded that rates of cancer screenings and adult immunization are most likely to see an improvement when these activities are supported by a health care organization through organizational changes in clinical and staffing procedures.  In addition, involving patients in self-management via reminders and financial incentives would also positively affect performance, the authors said.

Vaccination News Home Page

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.