Is accelerated partner therapy a feasible and acceptable strategy for rapid partner notification in the UK?: a qualitative study of genitourinary medicine clinic attenders

Abstract

Partner notification (PN) in the UK is of limited effectiveness. Expedited partner therapy improves PN outcomes but does not comply with existing UK professional guidance. We developed two new strategies, known as accelerated partner therapy (APT), based on elements of PN practice for which there is evidence of efficacy, and which conform to UK prescribing guidance. We explored the acceptability and feasibility of these models qualitatively in genitourinary medicine clinic attenders. Both strategies were viewed favourably. Preference was influenced by age, relationship type, whether participants were delivering or receiving APT and whether the sex partner was aware of the participant's clinic visit. APT provides a new approach to PN, which has strong patient support and complies with existing UK regulations. The complex factors that influence patients' choice of PN method suggest that provision of a range of PN options including APT may be central to improving the effectiveness of PN in the UK.

Can we improve partner notification rates through expedited partner therapy in the UK? Findings from an exploratory trial of Accelerated Partner Therapy (APT)

“…All UK sexual health clinic attenders should be offered a test for HIV,18 and local audits suggest that 93% of new clinic attenders are being tested (personal communication Mr M Symonds, Barts and the London NHS Trust, June 2010). In a preliminary study of sexual health clinic attenders' views on APT12 participants perceived that they would access HIV and syphilis testing after receiving APT, in contrast to findings in this study. Advances in non-invasive, point-of-care testing technologies might facilitate HIV testing in pharmacies at the time of the APT clinical assessment and the role of self-taken tests needs to be explored.…”

“…We refined the models in an iterative, qualitative process, involving an exploration of the acceptability and feasibility of the APT models in a study of sexual health clinic attenders,12 and focus group discussions with healthcare professionals (one for each site, with health advisers, clinic nurses, community pharmacists and consultant genitourinary medicine (GUM) doctors).…”

Strategies for Partner Management when Treating Sexually Transmitted Infection

“…Benefits of patient referral include the opportunity for the woman to disclose an STI diagnosis in private and the lack of additional time or resources required from the provider 6 . Successful referral requires that the woman notify at‐risk partners of the diagnosis and that the partners then seek testing and treatment.…”

“… Sources: Estcourt et al, 4 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 5 Sutcliffe et al, 6 Trelle et al, 9 CDC, 12 Golden et al, 14 Kissinger et al, 15 Niccolai et al 19 …”

Accelerated partner therapy (APT) partner notification for people withChlamydia trachomatis: protocol for the Limiting Undetected Sexually Transmitted infections to RedUce Morbidity (LUSTRUM) APT cross-over cluster randomised controlled trial

“…We therefore developed accelerated partner therapy (APT) as an adaptation of EPT to speed up the enhanced patient referral process 25–27. APT complies with UK prescribing guidance since a healthcare professional assesses the appropriateness of the prescribed antibiotics for the partner 28.…”