Evaluation of a national surveillance unit

Abstract

Aim - The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU) facilitates national active surveillance of uncommon childhood conditions. This study assessed whether it fulfilled its objectives and satisfied criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for evaluating surveillance systems. Methods - Anonymous questionnaires were sent to users of the system, individual studies were reviewed, and data were collected from independent sources. Results - Seven hundred and sixty six clinicians, 48 investigators, and 15 public health professionals responded to the questionnaires. Clinicians reported that the APSU was useful, 33% saying information provided by the APSU infor..