Media contributions
1Media contributions
Title Australian-first STI self-test receives TGA approval Degree of recognition National Media name/outlet NewsGP Media type Web Country/Territory Australia Date 20/11/24 Description The test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea could result in timelier diagnosis, but are there implications of doing so outside the healthcare setting?...
Professor Mark Morgan, Chair of RACGP Expert Committee – Quality Care, agrees there are a number of positives to the new test kit, however, he says more information about the formulation of the test is needed.
‘It will be important to understand the accuracy of these tests in the real world where user error and improper storage of testing kits might be factors,’ he told newsGP.
Beyond that however, Professor Morgan is concerned that self-testing will remove the opportunity for GPs to talk about sexual health with the patient more broadly.
‘GPs will often use appointments about possible STIs to enquire about contraception, talk about safe-sex, and identify the risk of domestic violence,’ he said.
‘Contact tracing is [also] an important follow up for positive results, otherwise the cycle of infection can continue.’..
Meanwhile, by placing access to testing in the pharmacy setting, Professor Morgan fears it could eventually see patients accessing treatment through a future iteration of pharmacy prescribing.
‘This would represent a further lost opportunity for holistic care,’ he said.Producer/Author Anastasia Tsirtsakis URL https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/australian-first-sti-self-test-receives-tga-approv?utm_source=racgpnewsgpnewsletter&utm_campaign=newsgpedm&utm_medium=email Persons Mark Morgan