Evaluating a Community-Based Surveillance System for Influenza-Like Illness
Author Information
Author(s): Reeder Blaine, Revere Debra, Olson Donald R, Lober William B
Primary Institution: University of Washington
Hypothesis
What are the perceived usefulness and areas for improvement of the Distribute community-based syndromic surveillance system?
Conclusion
The study identifies key themes that can guide future improvements in syndromic surveillance systems.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants expressed a need for a common definition of influenza-like illness to improve data comparisons.
- Emergent themes included standardization, regional comparability, completeness, and trusted data.
- Participants acknowledged the value of the Public site for viewing national trends.
Takeaway
This study asked public health workers how useful a system for tracking flu-like illnesses is and found ways to make it better.
Methodology
Qualitative methods including focus groups and semi-structured interviews were used to assess perceived usefulness.
Limitations
The study was limited by its short time frame and the specific regional population sampled.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 9 public health practitioners from state and county levels, with varying familiarity with the Distribute system.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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