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Hindi Research Article
Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Management by Urology, Emergency Medicine and Obstetrician/Gynecology Physicians does not Generally Follow CDC Guidelines
Weigler G, Perry C, Weigler A, Kim B, Yangouyian M, Vicena J and Richard Santucci*
Detroit Medical Center, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan, USA
- *Corresponding Author:
- Richard Santucci
Specialist-in-Chief, Urology
Detroit Medical Center, Clinical Professor
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
4160 John R. Suite 1017, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA
Tel: 313-745-4123
Fax: 313-745-8222
E-mail: rsantucc@dmc.org
Received date: August 14, 2013; Accepted date: October 15, 2013; Published date: October 17, 2013
Citation: Weigler G, Perry C, Weigler A, Kim B, Yangouyian M, et al. (2013) Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Management by Urology, Emergency Medicine and Obstetrician/Gynecology Physicians does not Generally Follow CDC Guidelines. J Community Med Health Educ 3:244. doi:10.4172/2161-0711.1000244.
Copyright: © 2013 Weigler G, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Aim: This study was designed to determine the practice habits of physicians in reporting and treating sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), which infect an estimated 15 million people each year in the United States. We hypothesize a variance in how STDs are treated among different medical specialties and the rate of adherence to CDC guidelines. Methods: Prospective study querying 125 physicians regarding STD treatment habits. Seven-question surveys were distributed among urology, ob/gyn, and emergency medicine attending and resident physicians. Results: Of the questionnaires circulated, 76 (61%) were completed. Resident physician response (87%) was higher than attending physician response (13%). 100% of EM and 85% of urology doctors administer empiric STD medications based on history and physical exam findings alone, while most obstetrician/gynecologists (62%) wait for positive cultures prior to treatment. Most physicians do not treat partners of the index patient (ob/gyn 69%, Urology 55%, EM 73%). Reasons for not treating partners were varied and included: follow up, allergies, concerns of medicolegal recourse, time, and loss of revenue and office resources. Finally, while most physicians were concerned about follow-up care, there was no consistency in follow up plans. Conclusion: Our study showed physicians vary greatly in treating and managing STDs. Despite published guidelines by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) specifying an appropriate treatment course for the index patient and their partner, the majority of physicians do not follow these CDC guidelines. This may be creating a quality of care problem for millions of American patients affected by STDs annually.
