Calculating Interview Periods

A foundational step in any STI interview is determining the interview period. This timeframe is crucial for identifying sexual partners who may require testing and treatment. The DI Professional will calculate this period before the interview begins. The interview period represents the maximum possible duration during which the person could have contracted or transmitted the infection.

Module Objective:

To equip DI Professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to accurately calculate interview periods for persons diagnosed with STIs/HIV.

In this e-learning module learners will:

  • Define interview period and its importance in working with people who are diagnosed with an STI/HIV.
  • Discuss factors affecting interview period length (e.g., STI type, symptoms, risk behaviors).
  • Calculate Interview Periods for Specific STIs using different patient profiles and STI/HIV diagnoses(Primary, Secondary, and Early Latent syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, PID, and HIV).

Inaugural Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T.) Awards

Friday, October 4, 2024, at 10 am PDT

In honor of DIS Recognition Day 2024, the CAPTC is celebrating the essential life-saving work of disease intervention professionals!

You and your colleagues are cordially invited to the inaugural Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS) Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T.) virtual award ceremony on Friday, October 4, 2024, at 10 am PDT.

During this celebration, you will have a chance to learn about the work of our award recipients, as well as hear about CAPTC’s resources to help disease intervention professionals conduct the important and lifesaving work you do.

RSVP using the link below. Don’t forget to invite fellow disease intervention professionals!

Invitation

How to Prescribe Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) for Sexually Transmitted Infections 

How to Prescribe Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) for Sexually Transmitted Infections 

Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) is the clinical practice of treating sex partners of patients diagnosed with certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – including chlamydia (CT), gonorrhea (GC), and trichomoniasis – without the health care provider first examining the partner(s). EPT usually involves patient delivered partner therapy (PDPT), in which the patient delivers the medication or a prescription to their partner(s). While evaluating the partner and providing other needed health services would be ideal, this is often not feasible. EPT can be provided confidentially; it is effective, safe, acceptable to patients and partners, and helps to ensure timely partner treatment.

This resource contains information on how to prescribe EPT in California, including sample prescriptions, information on billing/reimbursement, and patient-facing materials.

For more information on EPT and why it should be prescribed, see “Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) for Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Resource for California Health Care Providers – What is EPT and Why Should I Prescribe It?”

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Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) for Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Resource for California Health Care Providers

Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) for Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Resource for California Health Care Providers

Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT) is the clinical practice of treating sex partners of patients diagnosed with treatable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) – including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis – without the health care provider first examining the partner(s).

This document explains what EPT is and why clinicians in California should prescribe it. In-depth references are also provided.

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Self-Disclosure

Many clients in prevention and care settings would like to tell others of their status regarding HIV/STI or other health conditions. By self-disclosing, clients may hope to gain support or offer potentially exposed partners an opportunity to access important services.

Our blended learning course, Supporting Self-Disclosure of a Health Condition, is designed to assist prevention and care providers in supporting their patients to self-disclose to their sexual and/or substance injecting partners.

Nurse with a female patient. The patient is smiling with her hand over he heart.

Blended Learning Modules

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Part 1: Online Self-Disclosure Course

The online course introduces disclosure concepts using a four-step model that can be used by providers when engaging in discussions around self-notification with their clients.

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Part 2. Skills Practice

The skills-based training offers the opportunity to put those steps into practice. Attendees learn about benefits and barriers to disclosure and how best to coach and practice with a client to help ensure a successful disclosure.

The online training is a prerequisite to the skills-based learning.
Upcoming trainings to be announced. If you are interested in this, please contact us at captc@ucsf.edu

Motivational Interviewing

These modules provides an overview of the rationale and evidence for using motivational interviewing to facilitate change with your clients. We hope that this overview will help and inspire you to communicate with your clients, patients, and communities in a more effective way.

Hiker offering their hand to their partner.

Discover the foundations (Part 1) and principles (Part 2) of motivational interviewing and learn how to apply these to your work with clients, inspiring and empowering them to thrive.

Part one: History and Spirit

Part two: Principles in Action

Introduction to Public Health Detailing

CDC Train’s Introduction to Public Health Detailing course educates and informs DIS on how to perform comprehensive, high-quality public health detailing to medical and healthcare professionals.

Introduction to Telephone Interviewing for DIS

CDC Train's Introduction to Telephone Interviewing for DIS course will introduce partner services providers (i.e., DIS) to the basic principles and best practices for conducting telephone interviews

Learn more and register

Introduction to Trauma Informed Care for DIS

CDC Train's Introduction to Trauma-Informed Care for DIS course is designed to introduce Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) to the principles and strategies of trauma-informed care, so they are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to support clients who have experienced trauma.

Learn more and register

STD/HIV Partner Services Interview Demonstration

This video provides an example of a mock partner services interview with a syphilis client. HIV prevention is also addressed extensively during the interview.

Learn more and register