Background/introduction:

UK sexual health clinics provide patients with additional confidentiality by having separate patient records systems, and by not routinely communicating with General Practitioners (GPs). However, research into patients’ awareness of these policies is limited. 

Aim(s)/objectives:

To assess patients’ knowledge and perceptions of additional confidentiality protections in sexual health clinics. 

Methods:

A self-administered anonymous questionnaire (approved by Trust Clinical Governance Committee) was distributed prospectively to 200 patients attending two level 3 UK sexual health clinics.


Results:

Response rate was 200/223 (89.7%). 75/199 (37.7%) respondents felt that they knew nothing about the policy and 74/199 (37.2%) felt that they knew a little. 121/197 (61.4%) did not know GU records are not recorded on main medical records.

Patients were less confident that their information is kept confidential in the reception area compared to the treatment area. 19/20 free-text comments received complained about personal information being overheard when registering at the reception. 


Discussion/conclusion:

Sexual health clinics should ensure they provide basic information on additional confidentiality protections, in order to increase the likelihood of patients disclosing intimate information, and ensuring they can be contacted. Efforts to improve patients’ perception of confidentiality in reception areas are vital and need to be considered carefully when designing units.

CONFIDENTIALITY IN SEXUAL HEALTH CLINICS: A SERVICE EVALUATION OF PATIENTS' UNDERSTANDING AND ATTITUDES TO ADDITIONAL CONFIDENTIALITY PROTECTIONS