Patients' and Physicians' Levels of Satisfaction with Genital Herpes Education and Counseling

INTRODUCTION

While millions of people in the US have been diagnosed with genital herpes (GH), little is known about the actual dialogue that occurs between the patient and their healthcare provider at the time of diagnosis. Anecdotal evidence suggests that healthcare providers (e.g., nurse practitioners, physicians) believe they are covering the basics about genital herpes yet patients are left with unanswered factual questions and unresolved emotional issues. One research hypothesis is that providing doctors with a brief checklist of FAQs, as well as extensive resources to pass along to patients would enhance the dialogue, increase levels of patient satisfaction as well as improve doctors' comfort and satisfaction levels with the discussion immediately following a new diagnosis. ASHA proposes a research study to compare levels of physician's and patients' satisfaction (with information delivered, time spent, message delivery, and other pertinent variables), before and after a brief intervention for physicians.

OBJECTIVES

1. Determine patient and physician satisfaction with the normal standard of care physicians provide to their patients;
2. Provide physicians with information about how to effectively and efficiently educate and counsel patients;
3. Examine patient and physician satisfaction levels after the intervention; and
4. Determine the effectiveness of providing educational interventions to physicians from both the patient and physician perspectives.

ACTIVITIES

• Survey newly diagnosed patients and physicians to determine their satisfaction levels with the genital herpes education and counseling that is provided.
• Conduct an educational intervention for physicians that will include a checklist of FAQs with brief instructions about how to counsel and educate patients in the least amount of time.
• Provide physicians with resource kits to distribute to patients including a companion checklist of FAQs, A DVD by Terri Warren and information about seeking support from ASHA's website, email and hotline services.
• Survey patients and physicians after the intervention to measure their satisfaction levels.
• Within three months of the intervention, survey both groups of patients to measure and compare satisfaction levels.
• Conduct statistical analyses to assess the effectiveness of the intervention from both the patient and provider perspectives.

CONTACT INFORMATION

This project is in process. If you have questions or comments, please contact us at info@ashastd.org.