Terrorism preparedness: have office-based physicians been trained?

Terrorism may have a severe impact on physicians' practices. We examined terrorism preparedness training of office-based physicians.

The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey uses a nationally representative multi-stage sampling design. In 2003 and 2004, physicians were asked if they had received training in six Category-A viral and bacterial diseases and chemical and radiological exposures. Differences were examined by age, degree, specialty, region, urbanicity, and managed care involvement. Chi-squares, t tests, and logistic regressions were performed in SUDAAN-9.0, with univariate significance at P<.05 and multivariate significance within 95% confidence intervals.

Of 3,968 physicians, 56.3% responded. Forty-two percent were trained in at least one exposure. Primary care specialists were more likely than surgeons to be trained for all exposures. Medical specialists were more likely than surgeons to be trained for smallpox, anthrax, and plague. Physicians ages 55-69 years were less likely than those in their 30s to be trained for smallpox, anthrax, and chemical exposures. Managed care physicians were more likely to be trained for all exposures except botulism, tularemia, and hemorrhagic fever.

Terrorism training frequencies were low, although primary care and managed care physicians reported more training than their counterparts.