Physicians report highest risk level for H1N1 pandemic since April study

FLEMINGTON, N.J., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- A new national study among 696 physicians revealed that more than one-third of physicians (37%) reported that there was "somewhat of a risk" that the H1N1 swine flu could result in a catastrophic pandemic, the highest level since an April study in which 49% of physicians reported that there was "somewhat of a risk" for a pandemic.

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The study was conducted last night by HCD Research using its MediaCurves.com(R) website, and the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion (MCIPO), as part of a series of studies which were conducted during April, May and June to obtain physicians' perceptions of the H1N1 virus. The studies are being conducted on a weekly basis to measure physicians' perceptions regarding their personal and professional views on the issue. To view detailed results go to: www.hcdi.net or www.mediacurves.com.

When asked what top three sources they use to obtain information on H1N1 swine flu, physicians listed government agency communications (77%) as their top choice, followed by the news media (71%) and medical associations (55%), similar to previous studies.

Among the findings:

Please indicate the level of risk that the H1N1 swine flu could result in a catastrophic pandemic. Use a scale from 1 to 7, with 1 indicating "No Risk" and 7 indicating "Extremely High Risk."

Week 1    Week 2     Week 3     Week 4    Week 5
                         (4/27/09)  (5/6/09)  (5/21/09)  (6/10/09)  (6/10/09)
    1 - No Risk              1%        2%         3%         2%         3%
    2 - Low Risk            13%       27%        26%        33%        25%
    Bottom 2                14%       30%        29%        35%        28%
    3 - Somewhat Low Risk   14%       18%        17%        16%        16%
    4 - Neither At Risk
         or Not At Risk      9%       12%        14%        14%        12%
    5 - Somewhat At Risk    49%       31%        33%        29%        37%
    Top 2                   14%        9%         8%         6%         7%
    6 - High Risk           12%        7%         7%         6%         6%
    7 - Extremely
         High Risk           2%        1%         1%         0%         1%
    MEAN                   4.4       3.7        3.7        3.5        3.8
                        (Neither) (Neither)  (Neutral)  (Neutral)  (Neutral)

Please indicate the top 3 sources that you use to find out about H1N1 swine flu. Check exactly three.

Week 2     Week 3     Week 4     Week 5
                                   (5/6/09)   (5/21/09)  (6/10/09)  (6/29/09)
    News (including print,
     broadcast, and internet)         75%         73%       69%        71%
    Symposium/Conferences/Med
     education programs               27%         11%       13%        13%
    Sales reps                         1%          2%        2%         4%
    Colleagues/KOL                    28%         26%       27%        24%
    Product brochures/promotion
     material/web site                 3%          2%        3%         3%
    Medical journal/journal
     web site                         38%         42%       49%        51%
    Medical association
     communication/web site           60%         60%       55%        55%
    Government agency
     communication/news
     letters (e.g. CDC, FDA)          81%         79%       77%        77%

About MediaCurves.com

MediaCurves.com(R) (www.mediacurves.com) is a media measurement website that provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans' perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements. MediaCurves.com is a service of HCD Research, a marketing and communications research company headquartered in Flemington, NJ. The company's services include traditional and web-based research. For additional information on HCD Research, access the company's web site at www.hcdi.net or call HCD Research at 908-788-9393.

SOURCE HCD Research