PDSA library. STD screening in General Practice.

Plan:

• Objective: To proactively encourage members of the public to have STD checks at the GP practice. More than 80% of chlamydia infections occur in people <29 years of age.⁹ Screening for chlamydia infection in all sexually active people up to 29 years of age is recommended because of increased prevalence and risk of complications.¹⁰ In asymptomatic, sexually active people up to 29 years of age, the overall absolute risk of infection is approximately 5% for chlamydia and 0.5% for gonorrhoea. (1)
• Goal: Increase the number of individuals seeking STD checks.
• Scope: Target members of the public aged up to 29.
• Stakeholders: Healthcare providers, administrative staff, patients, the general public.
• Action Plan:
  1. Conduct a marketing campaign targeting the local community to raise awareness of the importance of STD checks for young people. (More about how to market your GP clinic is here.)
  2. Promote the campaign through various channels, including clinic’s website, social media, posters in the clinic, and local advertisements.
  3. Offer a bulk billing for STD checks and the associated tests and treatments.
  4. Discuss the RACGP STD guidelines with doctors and staff to ensure they are well-informed and aligned with best practices.
  5. Set up a feedback mechanism to collect input and insights from healthcare providers regarding the campaign’s effectiveness and patients’ responses.
  6. Define a timeline for the implementation of the plan.

Do:

• Implement the action plan as outlined in the planning phase.
• Launch the marketing campaign through various channels to raise awareness of the importance of STD checks among young people.
• Establish a bulk billing system to make STD checks more accessible and affordable for patients.
• Conduct training sessions with doctors and staff to ensure they are knowledgeable about RACGP STD guidelines and best practices.
• Create a mechanism for patients to easily schedule STD checks and follow-up treatments.

Study:

• Analyze the data collected during the implementation phase.
• Evaluate the success of the marketing campaign in terms of increased patient inquiries and appointments for STD checks. (via GPs feedback)
• Gather feedback from doctors and staff regarding their experience with the campaign and patient responses.
• Assess whether the bulk billing system has made STD checks more accessible to young patients.

Act:

• Based on the findings from the study phase:
  1. Determine whether the campaign has resulted in an increased number of patients seeking STD checks.
  2. Review feedback from healthcare providers and staff to identify areas for improvement.
  3. If the campaign has effectively increased patient inquiries and appointments for STD checks and feedback is positive, continue with the current approach.
  4. If the campaign has not achieved the desired outcomes or if there are suggestions for improvement, revise the action plan accordingly.
  5. Continue screening patients for STD risks and monitor the impact of the marketing campaign.
  6. Plan to review the progress regularly to ensure ongoing effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.

References:

Red Book, Communicable diseases, Sexually transmissible infections. RACGP, https://www.racgp.org.au/clinical-resources/clinical-guidelines/key-racgp-guidelines/view-all-racgp-guidelines/guidelines-for-preventive-activities-in-general-pr/communicable-diseases/sexually-transmissible-infections Last accessed: 27.10.23.