Infectious Disease Physicians' Knowledge and Practices Regarding Wastewater Surveillance, United States, 2024

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Wastewater surveillance (WWS) is an emerging tool for monitoring infectious disease trends.
• Physician engagement with WWS data is not yet widespread.
• Understanding the perceived utility and barriers to WWS use among clinicians is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current use and perceived value of wastewater surveillance data among US infectious disease physicians.
• To identify how WWS data influences or could influence clinical practice.
• To explore opportunities for improving the integration of WWS into clinical decision-making.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to infectious disease physicians across the United States.
• The survey assessed the frequency of WWS data review and its impact on clinical practice.
• Qualitative and quantitative data were collected on physician experiences and perceptions.

Main Results:

• A minority of surveyed physicians regularly reviewed WWS data.
• A significant number of physicians reported instances where WWS data affected or could affect their clinical decisions.
• Physicians recognized the potential utility of WWS but highlighted a need for improved communication channels.

Conclusions:

• Wastewater surveillance data holds potential value for infectious disease physicians.
• Enhanced communication and collaboration between public health officials and clinicians are needed to maximize WWS utility.
• Future efforts should focus on bridging the gap between WWS data generation and its practical application in clinical settings.