Helen Burstin, M'D', M'P'H'

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The Role of Community-Based Providers in
Bioterrorism Preparedness

• Helen Burstin, M.D., M.P.H.
• Director
• Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and
• Clinical Partnerships

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Role of Community Providers in Bioterrorism
Preparedness
Front-line clinical providers
Public Health Infrastructure

• Public health departments
• State laboratories
• Emergency preparedness

• Patients present with symptoms
• Primary care providers
• Community health centers
• Emergency departments
• Hospitals

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Why are Linkages to Community Providers
Important?

• Journal of Family Practice September
• 2002
• Chen et al (AAFP National Research Network and
  AHRQ researchers)
• National survey of family physicians (pre-anthrax
  attacks)
• Two-thirds of family physicians feel unprepared
  to deal with a bioterrorist event

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Why Do Community Providers Need To Assist With BT
Preparedness?

• PROBLEM 1 Patients often present to their
  provider with vague symptoms may be confused
  with flu
• POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS
• Decision support could help clinicians target the
  key symptoms or signs of a BT-related diagnosis
• Training and point-of-care information could
  prepare community providers to diagnose and
  manage patients appropriately

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Why Do Community Providers Need To Assist With BT
Preparedness?

• PROBLEM 2 Community providers do not interact
  with the public health departments or emergency
  responders
• POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS
• Develop ongoing relationship with the public
  health infrastructure (e.g., health departments,
  EMS)
• Develop community-based data sharing systems for
  ongoing surveillance for BT and other public
  health emergencies (e.g., flu)
• Develop role for community providers (and
  volunteer providers) for public health
  emergencies

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What AHRQ Is Doing To Help Community Providers

• Develop training and information tools that meets
  the needs of community clinicians (e.g.,
  Vanderbilt, University of Alabama website)
• Support practice-based research networks of
  community-based providers to address important
  questions related to BT preparedness (e.g.,
  Wisconsin, UNC, Cincinnati Childrens PBRNs)
• Enhance and reinforce linkages and IT
  connectivity between the health care system and
  the public health infrastructure (e.g., Indiana
  PBRN)

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