183596 Making EPT Easier: Examining materials to support patient and provider implementation

Tuesday, October 28, 2008: 9:15 AM

Richard Goldsworthy, PhD, MSEd , Academic Edge, Inc., Bloomington, IN
Kimberly McBride, PhD, MA , Academic Edge, Inc., Bloomington, IN
J. Dennis Fortenberry, MD, MS , Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Nancy C. Schwartz, PhD , Academic Edge, Inc., Bloomington, IN
Paul Whitener , Academic Edge, Inc., Bloomington, IN
     
OBJECTIVE: To develop packaging and informational materials that facilitate knowledgeable, safe, and effective adoption of Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) among patients and partners.

METHODS: The development effort implemented an iterative, multistage, user-centered approach grounded extensively in expert input, psychosocial models of consumer EPT behaviors, and formative evaluation. Individuals likely to participate in EPT evaluated the resulting materials in usability sessions conducted in an urban clinic environment. Participants were provided hypothetical clinical situations, asked to review a subset of the materials, and took part in a semi-structured interview regarding intentions to engage in EPT; impact, usefulness, and style of the materials; and questions or concerns related to EPT.

RESULTS: The research produced a prototype stand-alone medication packaging system and patient and partner brochures to be attached to medication or prescriptions. Content addressing three areas of patient and partner concern was developed, in English and Spanish: (1) what do you want me to do? (awareness), (2) why do you want me to do it? (motivation and adoption), and (3) how am I supposed to do it? (performance). Participants understood the instructions, expressed willingness to engage in EPT, provided extensive feedback regarding the format and content, and suggested additional information and support tools.

DISCUSSION: Standardized trifold pamphlets and a packaging system have been produced. Patient-partner socioemotional interaction, particularly the initial patient introduction of EPT to the partner and patient and partner reaction to infection diagnosis, merit further attention. Direct training and support of providers and policymakers may also be worthwhile.

Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to: (1) describe materials being developed to facilitate EPS implementation (2) assess the relevance and utility of existing materials to their own practice (3) describe, and provide input toward, future course and resource development efforts to augment implementation

Keywords: STD, Health Care Delivery

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I oversaw the research and development effort. I have over 15 years of experience as principle investigator on a wide range of federal research grants targeting health behaviors, particularly training, education, and performance support, with particular focus on social and psychological aspects of professional and consumer behavior adoption and modification.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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