Knowledge and Awareness of Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) Towards Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan
Author(s)
Lawrence Vandervoort, Master’s in Public Health (MPH)1, Amanda Woo, PhD1, Neeyor Bose, PhD1, Maria Choufany, PhD2, Aruni Seneviratna, Master of Public Health (MPH)3, Yu-Fan Ho, MPH3, Leila Alaoui Sosse, Masters2.
1Oracle Life Sciences, Singapore, Singapore, 2Oracle Life Sciences, Paris, France, 3Real World Evidence & Health Outcomes, GlaxoSmithKline, Singapore, Singapore.
1Oracle Life Sciences, Singapore, Singapore, 2Oracle Life Sciences, Paris, France, 3Real World Evidence & Health Outcomes, GlaxoSmithKline, Singapore, Singapore.
OBJECTIVES: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) significantly contributes to the global respiratory morbidity and healthcare burden. Primary care physicians (PCPs) are often the first line of clinical care for patients with respiratory-related symptoms. This study aims to assess PCP’s knowledge of RSV among older adults in Asia.
METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study used an online-based survey among PCPs in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan (n=100 each) to assess their understanding of RSV symptoms, risk factors, complications and knowledge priorities.
RESULTS: Among 700 PCPs recruited to the study, 28.7% were very familiar with RSV and 87.3% managed RSV routinely. Most recognized RSV’s seasonality (68-97%) but 21-60% were unsure whether RSV causes fewer hospitalizations than influenza. Recognition of common symptoms like fever (83-98%) and severe cough (73-87%) was high, however, awareness of less typical symptoms like headache (34-73%), decreased appetite (30-70%), excess sputum production (54-92%) and wheezing (53-88%) was inconsistent. Knowledge of RSV complications (recurrent wheeze [16-85%], increase in/worsening of cardiovascular conditions [50-79%] and reinfection [35-69%]) and adult risk factors (chronic lung conditions [58-92%], chronic heart conditions [51-88%], age groups of 60-64 years [16-68%] and 50-64 years [8-41%]) was limited and varied significantly across geographies. While there was general consensus on the importance of understanding RSV clinical presentation, treatment and management, risk factor and its impact on chronic conditions, PCPs between countries varied in how important they rated RSV prevention (66-89%), latest developments (63-95%), and differentiation from other respiratory infections (66-97%).
CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed notable geographical variation and knowledge gaps among PCPs, particularly regarding less common symptoms, complications and adult risk factors for RSV. Addressing these knowledge gaps is crucial to enhancing RSV management in older adults in primary care.
METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study used an online-based survey among PCPs in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan (n=100 each) to assess their understanding of RSV symptoms, risk factors, complications and knowledge priorities.
RESULTS: Among 700 PCPs recruited to the study, 28.7% were very familiar with RSV and 87.3% managed RSV routinely. Most recognized RSV’s seasonality (68-97%) but 21-60% were unsure whether RSV causes fewer hospitalizations than influenza. Recognition of common symptoms like fever (83-98%) and severe cough (73-87%) was high, however, awareness of less typical symptoms like headache (34-73%), decreased appetite (30-70%), excess sputum production (54-92%) and wheezing (53-88%) was inconsistent. Knowledge of RSV complications (recurrent wheeze [16-85%], increase in/worsening of cardiovascular conditions [50-79%] and reinfection [35-69%]) and adult risk factors (chronic lung conditions [58-92%], chronic heart conditions [51-88%], age groups of 60-64 years [16-68%] and 50-64 years [8-41%]) was limited and varied significantly across geographies. While there was general consensus on the importance of understanding RSV clinical presentation, treatment and management, risk factor and its impact on chronic conditions, PCPs between countries varied in how important they rated RSV prevention (66-89%), latest developments (63-95%), and differentiation from other respiratory infections (66-97%).
CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed notable geographical variation and knowledge gaps among PCPs, particularly regarding less common symptoms, complications and adult risk factors for RSV. Addressing these knowledge gaps is crucial to enhancing RSV management in older adults in primary care.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EPH154
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Respiratory-Related Disorders (Allergy, Asthma, Smoking, Other Respiratory), Vaccines