title: Not so different after all? Comparing patients attending general practice-based locally enhanced services for sexual health with patients attending genitourinary medicine.
abstract: We did a cross-sectional survey of patients attending genitourinary (GU) medicine clinics (n = 933) and general practice-based Locally Enhanced Services for Sexual Health (GP-LESSH, n = 111) in Cornwall, England, in 2009/2010, to compare patients' characteristics and experiences. Patients completed a pen-and-paper questionnaire that was then linked to an extract of their clinical data. GP-LESSH patients took longer both to seek and to receive care: medians of nine and seven days, respectively, versus GU medicine patients: medians of seven and one day, respectively. GP-LESSH patients were less likely than GU medicine patients to report symptoms (19.6% versus 30.6%) and sexual risk behaviours (33.3% versus 44.7% reported new partners) since recognizing needing to seek care; 5.0% versus 10.2% were men who have sex with men). However, they were equally likely to have sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosed (23.3% versus 24.8%). As GP-LESSH may operate infrequently, local services must work collaboratively to ensure that those seeking care for suspected STIs receive it promptly. Failing to do so facilitates avoidable STI transmission.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Mercer
authors.forename: C R H
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Aicken
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cassell
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hartnell
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Keane
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012424:Rural Population; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014686:Venereology; D014850:Waiting Lists