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Health provider perspectives on establishing service linkages for treatment and follow-up from an Australian, web-based STI testing service: a qualitative study

Teralynn Ludwick , Olivia Walsh , Ethan Cardwell, Christopher Fairley , Jane Tomnay, Jane Hocking , Fabian Yuh Shiong Kong

Abstract

Background: Web-based, testing for sexually transmitted infections (STI) is becoming increasingly available. However, treatment pathways from web-based services are often not well-coordinated, contributing to treatment delays and access gaps. This study investigated clinician perspectives on building service linkages with a new, web-based, STI testing service in Victoria, Australia. Methods: We interviewed 16 clinicians from regional/outer metropolitan areas who are part of government-funded, primary care programs to strengthen sexual health services in Victoria. Interviews inquired about: clinician attitudes, considerations for managing referrals, compatibility with clinic systems, and broader policy/healthcare system factors. Results: Clinicians were enthusiastic, perceived web-based services as complementary (not competition), and believed local treatment pathways were important for patient choice/access. They felt that administrative aspects of handling referrals from an online service could be managed unproblematically. To inform treatment, clinicians recommended that referral letters from the web-based service list all tests ordered, dates, and complete results. Tensions were raised regarding the utility and appropriateness of including treatment guidelines and pre-prepared prescriptions in referral letters. Respondents reported that most clinics did not stock injectable antibiotics, raising concerns by clinicians about potential treatment delays and privacy challenges related to patient-led procurement at pharmacies. Conclusions: Our study suggests that clinicians are receptive to local treatment pathways being designed as part of web-based STI testing services, and strengthened service linkages could improve client access, particularly outside urban areas. Capacity-building and additional resourcing of local partner clinics may be needed to support decentralised, patient-centred treatment pathways.

SH24142  Accepted 22 December 2024

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