Fellow Katarina Grande helped develop a toolkit for sites implementing expedited partner therapy (EPT), the practice of prescribing medication to partners of individuals with sexually transmitted infections. The project builds off work by Fellow alum Marisa Stanley, who helped pass EPT legislation in Wisconsin.
Link to toolkit: http://naccho.org/topics/HPDP/hivsti/news/std/p2.cfm
Project description:
Rates
of chlamydia and gonorrhea are consistently high in the City of
Milwaukee, a problem with is exacerbated by high rates of re-infection.
In order to expand the health department's capacity to address these
high rates, it is promoting expedited partner therapy (EPT) in medical
clinics and pharmacies serving high incidence areas in the city.
In 2010, EPT was legalized in Wisconsin, however it is not yet widely used. Despite survey findings showing that providers view EPT favorably, health department staff have noted reluctance from some community providers to employ EPT. To address this issue, the health department developed simplified guidance sheets for EPT and a 15 minute presentation about EPT to describe the local epidemics of chlamydia and gonorrhea and the purpose of prescribing EPT. These presentations are designed to be given in person by the health department staff, which allows for questions and concerns to be addressed on the spot. The presentation is styled as an informal version of academic detailing, where the MHD representatives "sell the idea" of EPT to small groups of clinicians and pharmacists at their clinics and pharmacies. The health department also provides medication and support, such as informational resources, to providers and clinics prescribing EPT.
Throughout development of this initiative, the health department engaged a variety of partners, including medical students, a fellow from the state health department, and colleagues at local healthcare providers.
In 2010, EPT was legalized in Wisconsin, however it is not yet widely used. Despite survey findings showing that providers view EPT favorably, health department staff have noted reluctance from some community providers to employ EPT. To address this issue, the health department developed simplified guidance sheets for EPT and a 15 minute presentation about EPT to describe the local epidemics of chlamydia and gonorrhea and the purpose of prescribing EPT. These presentations are designed to be given in person by the health department staff, which allows for questions and concerns to be addressed on the spot. The presentation is styled as an informal version of academic detailing, where the MHD representatives "sell the idea" of EPT to small groups of clinicians and pharmacists at their clinics and pharmacies. The health department also provides medication and support, such as informational resources, to providers and clinics prescribing EPT.
Throughout development of this initiative, the health department engaged a variety of partners, including medical students, a fellow from the state health department, and colleagues at local healthcare providers.