Grant: Operating Grant: Health Systems Research on H1N1

In the fall of 2009 the H1N1 epidemic moved through Canada in an approximately west to east direction. Some individuals became very ill with the H1N1 virus during this time and all provinces experienced H1N1 related deaths. The media's portrayal of this situation combined with public health messages strongly encouraging the public to be vaccinated led to extreme line-ups at designated vaccination sites. Family physicians were, in large part, excluded from the distribution of the H1N1 vaccine in most Canadian provinces. There are several arguments for and against the use of family doctors to help distribute the H1N1 vaccine. For example, some argue that using the many thousands of existing family doctors' offices instead of rapidly established vaccination sites could have more effectively distributed the vaccine. Others argue that because family doctors don't always document well, it would be difficult to get a sense of who, and how many individuals, were actually vaccinated. This study will survey family doctors to determine their thoughts and opinions on the H1N1 vaccination program as it was delivered in their provinces; assess whether, if provided the opportunity, they would have administered the vaccine; their knowledge of the opportunity to participate in vaccine administration; and their views of the advantages and disadvantages of involving family physicians in future vaccination programs. We will also survey the medical officers of health in all of the healthcare regions across Canada (who are responsible for monitoring and reporting on the health status of people living in those regions) in order to document perceptions and policies regarding family physician involvement in the H1N1 vaccination program and why the decision was made to institute those policies.