Patient acceptance of STI screening services by pharmacists

Purpose: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain one of the most common disease states in adults and adolescents. Various barriers, such as stigma and lack of access to care, prevent patients from obtaining the appropriate screening they need. This lack of screening in turn perpetuates transmission and delays treatment of STIs. Community-based pharmacists are readily available to the general public and are routinely ranked by Americans as one of the most trusted professions. With better access to pharmacists, patients may be more willing to undergo STI screening and treatment and thereby decrease transmission and long-term sequelae.

Methods: To assess patient attitudes toward pharmacists as STI providers, patients who presented to an urban free health clinic seeking STI screening and testing were given a confidential survey. This survey was comprised of a series of questions relating to STI testing and the acceptability of a pharmacist as their provider.

Results: Results: From this survey, patients showed overwhelming acceptance of a pharmacist as their STI treatment provider (75.1%). The responsibilities they were comfortable with a pharmacist performing included running a urine screen (94%), performing a physical exam (78%), diagnosing and treating STIs (97.3 %), and discussing STI test results (92.9%). Patients also approved of pharmacists working under a collaborative practice agreement with a physician (96.2%).

Conclusion: Acceptance by patients of a pharmacist-provider for STI screening may lead to adoption of STI screening clinics by community pharmacists. This would increase accessibility as well as identification of those infected with sexually transmitted infections ultimately leading to a decrease in the spread and long-term sequelae of untreated STIs.