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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Partner Services

CDC Train’s Passport to Partner Services online modules are for providers who conduct all aspects of Partner Services (PS), and they are designed for PS professionals of all experience levels.

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Integrating PrEP into Partner Services

CDC Train’s Integrating PrEP into Partner Services course is designed to give Disease Intervention Specialists (DIS) the tools they need to offer HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to their clients by reviewing what PrEP is, how it differs from post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and how to assess whether a patient is eligible.

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