Study will evaluate means of promoting greater awareness regarding importance of immunization in patients with autoimmune and allergic respiratory disease.
Patients with chronic inflammatory disease such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are at a higher risk of infections compared to the general population. Despite the risks, too often these patients do not receive the proper vaccinations. The most significant barrier to achieving optimal vaccinations rates, according to the CDC, is the need for increased awareness about vaccines among patients and providers. Two researchers at the UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center feel the situation can be improved.
Saira Sheikh, MD, an allergist/rheumatologist and assistant professor of medicine, and Mildred Kwan, MD, PhD, an allergist/immunologist and clinical assistant professor of medicine, have received funding for a research project that will address this pressing issue by developing a program designed to increase the rate of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates in high risk patient populations.
The program, which will be funded by an IBM Junior Faculty Development Award, will involve physician education via a Continuing Medical Education (CME) module regarding immunization guidelines, as well as wall posters, educational pamphlets, and individual educational pocket cards with immunization algorithms to further assist doctors in determining when vaccinations are indicated for various patient types. At its conclusion, data evaluating the success of the program will be analyzed with the hope that it can be fine-tuned, and expanded for use in primary care and other specialties.