Post-Scripts: Giving STI Results (Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Trichomoniasis)
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A few weeks ago I posted the second in a new series of "Scripts," or example language to use in common clinical scenarios in midwifery and other professions who provide gynecologic, reproductive, and obstetric care. In the introduction to the post, I noted that "With these example texts, I seek to provide a springboard for providers, care seekers, and reproductive health workers to discuss possible best practices for language and approach in different scenarios." Similar to the response from the first post, I received lots insightful, critical, and reflective feedback! Below I summarize some of the key points. I will include this post-script in the original as well, to show the spectrum of difference in awesome care so many bring to their work. Thanks to everyone for contributing!Note: some have noticed, others not, that I am actively using gender-neutral language in my posts and online. Please consider doing the same when you leave comments!
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Here is the original post: Giving STI Results (Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Trichomoniasis)
Ways to give feedback
In person: Multiple people flat-out disagree with my preference for in-person visits, and for good reason. Transportation, child care, work schedules, and/or co-pays can lead to unnecessary delays in care. To optimize how quickly people receive notification and treatment, many providers prefer to discuss results over the phone.
A follow-up note from me: I see people same day for STI results, even if I'm fully booked or double booked. STI results and pregnancy are my two "special" reasons to take anyone as a walk-in regardless of how the schedule looks. I've written about how I abhor and rebel against "the 15 minutes" and this is one of the reasons I run over but push forward regardless.
Feedback itself:
Stigma management: from one commenter - "Like look, people don't freak out or feel like a bad person when they get strep throat or a cold or the flu from someone. This is no different from any other infection we get from other people but our culture has a lot of stuff about sex which is why this can feel worse." AWESOME. Obviously long-term outcomes related to fertility/pelvic pain/risk for other STIs are different for GC/CT/TV versus strep throat, but the point of normalization is a vital one!
Many providers challenge my concern that information is better understood/allows better conversation and questioning in person. Great point! Depends on the provider, the population they serve, the complexity of the issue for the person receiving the information, and primary versus repeat infections.
Keep the feedback coming, y'all! - Stephanie