Physicians' Database Searches as a Tool for Early Detection of Epidemics

Abstract

We analyzed retrospectively the use of Physician Desk Reference Database searches to identify epidemics of tularemia, nephropathy, Pogosta disease, and Lyme disease and compared the searches with mandatory laboratory reports to the National Infectious Diseases Register in Finland during 1995. Continuous recording of such searches may be a tool for early detection of epidemics.

Keywords

• outbreak detection
• databases
• primary health care
• infectious disease surveillance
• United States