RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Physicians’ opinions about partner notification methods: case reporting, patient referral, and provider referral
JF Sexually Transmitted Infections
JO Sex Transm Infect
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 30
OP 34
DO 10.1136/sti.2003.004937
VO 80
IS 1
A1 Hogben, M
A1 St Lawrence, J S
A1 Montaño, D E
A1 Kasprzyk, D
A1 Leichliter, J S
A1 Phillips, W R
YR 2004
UL http://sti.bmj.com/content/80/1/30.abstract
AB Background: The United States has relied upon partner notification strategies to help break the chain of infection and re-infection for sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Physicians are a vital link in the system of STD control, but little is known of physician opinions about partner notification strategies. Methods: We collected opinions about partner notification from a national probability sample of physicians in specialties diagnosing STDs. Physicians responded to 17 questions about three relevant forms of STD partner notification: patient based referral, provider based referral, and case reporting. Results: Exploratory factor analyses showed that responses for each form of partner notification could be grouped into four categories: perceived practice norms, infection control, patient relationships, and time/money. Multivariate analyses of the factors showed that physicians endorsed patient based referral most favourably and provider based referral least favourably. Conclusion: Physicians’ opinions about partner notification strategies appear to reflect objective reality in some areas, but not in others. Strategies that improve the fit between physicians’ opinions and effective notification are needed: some are discussed here.