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HCET Home > On-line Training > RVIPP Self Study Manual: Chlamydia > 7. Client Education & Counseling
7. Client Education & Counseling
Clients with a presumptive diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) or a confirmed positive CT test should be provided with the following information to assist them in understanding CT, especially its treatment and prevention.At a minimum education about CT should include:
- Name of the disease
- Signs and symptoms of the disease
- How the disease is transmitted
- Incubation period
- Possibility of having asymptomatic disease for an extended period of time
- Complications of untreated chlamydia for women, men and babies
Discussion of Chlamydia Treatment Should Include:
- Name of the drug(s) being used in treatment
- Quantity and frequency of drug usage
- Probable efficacy of treatment
- Potential side effects
- Food, drugs, conditions (e.g., sunlight exposure or behaviors that should be avoided; alcohol is not contraindicated during therapy)
- What to do if side effects occur or symptoms develop or do not resolve
- Importance of abstinence until self and partners have completed treatment
- Importance of completing medication, not missing doses, not sharing medication with partners
- Assisting clients in identifying personal risks for contracting/transmitting CT, i.e. unprotected sex, multiple partners, having sex when drunk or high, etc.
- Assisting clients in developing realistic, personalized risk reduction plans, i.e. condom usage, monogamy, refraining from sex when drunk or high, etc.
Risk Reduction Includes Management of Sexual Partners
The interviewing of sexually transmitted disease (STD) clients and the notification and referral of their sex partners for appropriate assessment and treatment is a strategy that has been in place for over fifty years. Sex partner elicitation is defined as:- The confidential, voluntary, and non-coercive facilitation of the examination and treatment of all sex partners of a client diagnosed with CT.
- In order to intervene in the spread of disease
- To prevent the development of complications in infected partners and the original client if (s)he is re-exposed to an infected partner
- Where partner(s) can go for care, for example, a clinic or health department. Providing a referral card or letter facilitates the referral process
- Partner names will only be used for field searches and notification
- In no instance will partners be told:
- name or identity of the original client
- geographic location where the exposure took place
- date or period of exposure
- specific type of exposure
Five Key Points in the Partner Counseling Format for Clients Diagnosed with Chlamydia
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Introduction
- clinician’s name and role
- purpose of session
- discussion of confidentiality
- providing client with test results
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Address Patient Concerns
- What questions can I answer for you at this time?
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Disease Comprehension and Five Key Motivating Points for Partner Referral
- sexual transmission of CT
- asymptomatic nature of disease
- risk of reinfection
- complications and consequences
- increased risk of acquiring or transmitting other STDs
-
Sex Partner Elicitation
- first: obtain the number of sex partners during critical period (60 days prior to date of treatment)
- second: obtain names of sex partners
- third: obtain date of last exposure and frequency of sexual exposures with partner
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Coaching the Client’s Referral of Sex Partners and Conclusion
- assessing client’s ability to effectively conduct a referral of her/his sexual partners
- assessing client’s safety or risk for domestic violence
- enhancing client’s ability to effectively conduct a sex partner referral
For information regarding Partner Services Training, please contact your State Health Department. Additional training may be available.
