Abstract
Objectives: To compare clinical practice relating to testing for, and management of, genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the Lothian and Grampian regions of Scotland as part of an evaluation of a Government-funded health demonstration project in Lothian, Healthy Respect. Study design: Clinical audit against standards developed from a national clinical guideline.
Methods: Clinical practice relating to testing for, and management of, genital C. trachomatis infection was assessed against standards for good quality care developed from a national clinical guideline (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network Guideline 42). Audit methods comprised: postal survey of primary care clinicians; review of referral letters from primary to secondary care; and review of primary and secondary care patient case records. Findings from Lothian and Grampian were compared.
Results: Questionnaires were returned by 167 primary care clinicians in Lothian and 96 in Grampian. Clinicians in Lothian and Grampian gave similar responses relating to: testing of symptomatic patients (87 vs 88%); offer of testing for asymptomatic young patients (55 vs 55%); choice of antichlamydial agent (47 vs 42% azithromycin as first line); and follow-up strategies (50 vs 51% off er follow-up in primary care). Clinicians in Lothian were significantly more likely to participate in partner notification work (57 vs 44%; P=0.04) and to agree with statements reflecting 'perceived self-efficacy' in chlamydia-related care (57 vs 48%; P=0.006). Referral letters from primary to secondary care were reviewed for 31 women with genital symptoms in Lothian and 28 in Grampian. More women in Lothian were tested for chlamydia prior to referral (65 vs 39%; difference not significant). Review of primary care records for consultations in young people (145 in Lothian; 203 in Grampian) showed a higher level of chlamydia testing in Grampian (Lothian, 14%; Grampian, 34%; P < 0.0001). However, review of secondary care records (n=39) showed a much higher level of testing in Lothian (Lothian, 75%; Grampian, 9%; P < 0.0001). Review of secondary care records relating to proven chlamydia-positive women (n=159) suggested better care in Lothian in relation to ensuring antibiotic treatment (Lothian, 91%; Grampian, 74%; P=0.004), and use of the preferred antibiotic, azithromycin (Lothian, 78%; Grampian, 37%; P < 0.0001). However, documented referral to a health adviser appeared to be better in Grampian (Lothian, 32%; Grampian, 48%; P=0.048).
Conclusions: During the period of activity of the Healthy Respect demonstration project, few differences were detected between clinicians in Lothian and Grampian with regard to chlamydia-related practice. In both regions, clinicians appeared to be very aware of the need to test for chlamydia in patients with relevant symptoms, but were less likely to offer opportunistic testing to young patients without specific symptoms. These findings suggest that Healthy Respect in Lothian has had little impact on clinicians. However, these findings must be considered within the context of a broader evaluation, and it is noteworthy that the few significant differences that were detected tended to suggest better practice in Lothian. (c) 2005 The Royal Institute of Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1031-1038 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Public Health |
| Volume | 119 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2005 |
Keywords
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- clinical audit
- health demonstration project
- evaluation
- STYLE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
- DISEASE
- ACCESS
- LIFE
Cite this
Testing management for Chlamydia trachomatis infections in two regions of Scotland: impact of a national demonstration project. / Penney, Gillian; Brace, Victoria; Cameron, S.; Tucker, Janet Stephen.
In: Public Health, Vol. 119, 2005, p. 1031-1038.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Testing management for Chlamydia trachomatis infections in two regions of Scotland: impact of a national demonstration project
AU - Penney, Gillian
AU - Brace, Victoria
AU - Cameron, S.
AU - Tucker, Janet Stephen
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - Objectives: To compare clinical practice relating to testing for, and management of, genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the Lothian and Grampian regions of Scotland as part of an evaluation of a Government-funded health demonstration project in Lothian, Healthy Respect. Study design: Clinical audit against standards developed from a national clinical guideline.Methods: Clinical practice relating to testing for, and management of, genital C. trachomatis infection was assessed against standards for good quality care developed from a national clinical guideline (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network Guideline 42). Audit methods comprised: postal survey of primary care clinicians; review of referral letters from primary to secondary care; and review of primary and secondary care patient case records. Findings from Lothian and Grampian were compared.Results: Questionnaires were returned by 167 primary care clinicians in Lothian and 96 in Grampian. Clinicians in Lothian and Grampian gave similar responses relating to: testing of symptomatic patients (87 vs 88%); offer of testing for asymptomatic young patients (55 vs 55%); choice of antichlamydial agent (47 vs 42% azithromycin as first line); and follow-up strategies (50 vs 51% off er follow-up in primary care). Clinicians in Lothian were significantly more likely to participate in partner notification work (57 vs 44%; P=0.04) and to agree with statements reflecting 'perceived self-efficacy' in chlamydia-related care (57 vs 48%; P=0.006). Referral letters from primary to secondary care were reviewed for 31 women with genital symptoms in Lothian and 28 in Grampian. More women in Lothian were tested for chlamydia prior to referral (65 vs 39%; difference not significant). Review of primary care records for consultations in young people (145 in Lothian; 203 in Grampian) showed a higher level of chlamydia testing in Grampian (Lothian, 14%; Grampian, 34%; P < 0.0001). However, review of secondary care records (n=39) showed a much higher level of testing in Lothian (Lothian, 75%; Grampian, 9%; P < 0.0001). Review of secondary care records relating to proven chlamydia-positive women (n=159) suggested better care in Lothian in relation to ensuring antibiotic treatment (Lothian, 91%; Grampian, 74%; P=0.004), and use of the preferred antibiotic, azithromycin (Lothian, 78%; Grampian, 37%; P < 0.0001). However, documented referral to a health adviser appeared to be better in Grampian (Lothian, 32%; Grampian, 48%; P=0.048).Conclusions: During the period of activity of the Healthy Respect demonstration project, few differences were detected between clinicians in Lothian and Grampian with regard to chlamydia-related practice. In both regions, clinicians appeared to be very aware of the need to test for chlamydia in patients with relevant symptoms, but were less likely to offer opportunistic testing to young patients without specific symptoms. These findings suggest that Healthy Respect in Lothian has had little impact on clinicians. However, these findings must be considered within the context of a broader evaluation, and it is noteworthy that the few significant differences that were detected tended to suggest better practice in Lothian. (c) 2005 The Royal Institute of Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
AB - Objectives: To compare clinical practice relating to testing for, and management of, genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the Lothian and Grampian regions of Scotland as part of an evaluation of a Government-funded health demonstration project in Lothian, Healthy Respect. Study design: Clinical audit against standards developed from a national clinical guideline.Methods: Clinical practice relating to testing for, and management of, genital C. trachomatis infection was assessed against standards for good quality care developed from a national clinical guideline (Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network Guideline 42). Audit methods comprised: postal survey of primary care clinicians; review of referral letters from primary to secondary care; and review of primary and secondary care patient case records. Findings from Lothian and Grampian were compared.Results: Questionnaires were returned by 167 primary care clinicians in Lothian and 96 in Grampian. Clinicians in Lothian and Grampian gave similar responses relating to: testing of symptomatic patients (87 vs 88%); offer of testing for asymptomatic young patients (55 vs 55%); choice of antichlamydial agent (47 vs 42% azithromycin as first line); and follow-up strategies (50 vs 51% off er follow-up in primary care). Clinicians in Lothian were significantly more likely to participate in partner notification work (57 vs 44%; P=0.04) and to agree with statements reflecting 'perceived self-efficacy' in chlamydia-related care (57 vs 48%; P=0.006). Referral letters from primary to secondary care were reviewed for 31 women with genital symptoms in Lothian and 28 in Grampian. More women in Lothian were tested for chlamydia prior to referral (65 vs 39%; difference not significant). Review of primary care records for consultations in young people (145 in Lothian; 203 in Grampian) showed a higher level of chlamydia testing in Grampian (Lothian, 14%; Grampian, 34%; P < 0.0001). However, review of secondary care records (n=39) showed a much higher level of testing in Lothian (Lothian, 75%; Grampian, 9%; P < 0.0001). Review of secondary care records relating to proven chlamydia-positive women (n=159) suggested better care in Lothian in relation to ensuring antibiotic treatment (Lothian, 91%; Grampian, 74%; P=0.004), and use of the preferred antibiotic, azithromycin (Lothian, 78%; Grampian, 37%; P < 0.0001). However, documented referral to a health adviser appeared to be better in Grampian (Lothian, 32%; Grampian, 48%; P=0.048).Conclusions: During the period of activity of the Healthy Respect demonstration project, few differences were detected between clinicians in Lothian and Grampian with regard to chlamydia-related practice. In both regions, clinicians appeared to be very aware of the need to test for chlamydia in patients with relevant symptoms, but were less likely to offer opportunistic testing to young patients without specific symptoms. These findings suggest that Healthy Respect in Lothian has had little impact on clinicians. However, these findings must be considered within the context of a broader evaluation, and it is noteworthy that the few significant differences that were detected tended to suggest better practice in Lothian. (c) 2005 The Royal Institute of Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
KW - Chlamydia trachomatis
KW - clinical audit
KW - health demonstration project
KW - evaluation
KW - STYLE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
KW - DISEASE
KW - ACCESS
KW - LIFE
U2 - 10.1016/j.puhe.2005.02.005
DO - 10.1016/j.puhe.2005.02.005
M3 - Article
VL - 119
SP - 1031
EP - 1038
JO - Public Health
JF - Public Health
SN - 0033-3506
ER -