title: Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection - a study of general practice management in northern Queensland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most diagnoses of genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in Queensland are made by general practitioners. This study aimed to describe GP knowledge of recommended guidelines for chlamydia management and ascertain GPs' preferred model for contact tracing.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire completed by 35 GPs in northern Queensland in January 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although the majority of GPs reported treating uncomplicated chlamydia infection correctly with azithromycin, very few (26%) used empirical treatment. Most reported testing for re-infection within 6 weeks of initial positive results, earlier than recommended. The GPs preferred the notifiable disease register to refer the patient directly to a specialist contact tracer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  General practitioners in this regional location - and probably elsewhere - would benefit from education around the timing of re-testing. Public health units and sexual health services should consider ways of providing a contact tracing service for patients with positive chlamydia results in general practice.
authors: General Practice and Rural Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Mackay, Queensland. clare.heal@jcu.edu.au
authors: Clare
authors: C
authors: Heal
authors: Tracy
authors: T
authors: Cheffins
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Larkins
authors: Monika
authors: M
authors: Buhrer-Skinner
authors: Margaret
authors: M
authors: Spillman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000187:drug effects; D016358:Contact Tracing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019468:Disease Management; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011793:Queensland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin