Sexually transmissible infection management practices among primary care physicians in Singapore.
BACKGROUND
Primary care physicians manage a significant number of sexually transmissible infections (STI); however, there has not been a survey to assess the standard of medical care, completeness of notifications, provision of counselling and contact tracing by primary care physicians in Singapore.


METHODS
An anonymous postal survey was conducted in which 1557 questionnaires were mailed out to general practitioners (GP), and government primary care and emergency department doctors.


RESULTS
In all, 736 questionnaires (47.3%) were returned, and the majority of respondents were graduates from the local medical school, worked in solo or group practices and were males. One hundred and thirty doctors (17.7%) indicated they had received training attachments or postings in dermato-venereology departments. Almost one-third (30.8%) had been working as doctors for fewer than 10 years and 87.8% reported that they managed STI in their practice. Almost half did not investigate genital discharge patients, and one-third would still use ciprofloxacin to treat discharges. In the management of ulcers, over half indicated that they would order syphilis serology, and a significant minority would use parenteral penicillin. Most doctors provided history taking, screening for other STI, testing for HIV infection and STI counselling. A small minority of doctors undertook contact tracing, and there was incomplete notification of many STI.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall medical management of STI by primary care physicians was acceptable. Skills in contact tracing and reminders on disease notification are areas that need particular attention.
Chan
Roy K W
RK
National Skin Centre, 1 Mandalay Road, 308205, Singapore. roychan@nsc.gov.sg
Tan
Hiok Hee
HH
Chio
Martin T W
MT
Sen
Priya
P
Ho
Kar Woon
KW
Wong
Mee Lian
ML
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016358:Contact Tracing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires