JAN 25, 2013 5:31pm ET

For Many Docs, Most Flu They’ve Ever Seen

A recent survey of more than 2,400 physicians finds nearly 73 percent reporting higher volume of patients with flu symptoms than normal during this time of the flu season. Almost 23 percent report more flu patients at this point than ever before in their careers.

More than 80 percent of surveyed emergency department physicians are seeing higher numbers of flu patients than normal, with almost a third saying it’s the highest in their careers. And 43 percent of pediatricians are experiencing vaccine shortages with 46 percent saying some patients are unable to fill prescriptions for antiviral medications.

Physician news clipping service MDLinx conducted the survey Jan. 15-19, which included family medicine, pediatric, internal medicine, emergency medicine and general practice physicians.

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