High vaccination rates for seasonal and pandemic (A/H1N1) influenza among healthcare workers in Dutch general practice.

In previous years, the influenza vaccination rate among Dutch general practitioners (GPs) was low (36% during the 2007/2008 season). Since 2008, yearly influenza vaccination has been actively recommended for GPs in The Netherlands. Moreover, in 2009 the Dutch government urged healthcare workers to receive additional vaccination against the pandemic influenza (A/H1N1).

Improved care of type 2 diabetes patients as a result of the introduction of a practice nurse: 2003-2007.

Objective: The main objective is to examine the effect of the introduction of a practice nurse (PN) on the quality of type 2 diabetes care.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study in 397 type 2 diabetes patients recruited from five general practices in the Netherlands. Measurements were performed in 2003, 2005 and 2007, to estimate the effects before (2003) and after the introduction of the PN (2005) as well as the changed diabetes guidelines (2007).

Influenza immunization of Dutch general practitioners: vaccination rate and attitudes towards vaccination.

With effect from the 2008/2009 season, yearly influenza immunization will be recommended to all Dutch general practitioners (GPs). For successful implementation of this recommendation, knowledge about the current vaccination rate and attitudes towards vaccination is necessary. In February 2008, a questionnaire was mailed to a random sample (n=730) of practicing GPs.