Sexually Transmitted Infection Services and PrEP Therapy within Urgent Care Medicine

Authors

Jaime A. Camacho, University of LynchburgFollow

Specialty

Urgent Care Medicine

Advisor

Nancy Reid, DHSc, PA-C

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to review sexually transmitted infection (STI) services to include testing, patient education, and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) management within urgent care centers (UCC) and purpose potential recommendations for improvement.

Method: A PubMed literature search was conducted with search terms like STI, urgent care, patient education, and PrEP therapy. Nineteen pertinent articles were retrieved, and served as the basis for this clinical review.

Results: Urgent care centers conduct a high amount of STI testing and treatment. Some even offer and manage PrEP therapy. However, there is insufficient research describing the level of patient education or monitoring practices regarding STI re-infections or PrEP therapy management.

Conclusion: Urgent care centers are an appropriate venue to continue STI testing, treatment, and management of PrEP therapy. However, two keep issues (time and patient follow-up) were demonstrated to be obstacles for appropriate patient education regarding STIs and properly monitoring a patient’s tolerance of PrEP therapy. Increasing staff (both providers and ancillary staff) and establishing a collaborative partnership with the local community HIV prevention and treatment facilities can be possible suggestions to increase the quality of STI services within urgent care medicine.

Recommended Citation

Camacho JA. Sexually Transmitted Infection Services and PrEP Therapy within Urgent Care Medicine. University of Lynchburg DMSc Doctoral Project Assignment Repository. 2021; 3(1).