STI Clinical Update Webinar – Neurosyphilis

Thursday, July 21, 2022, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (PDT)

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) continues to see dramatic statewide increases in syphilis. Neurosyphilis, a syphilitic infection of the nervous system, poses a complex diagnostic and management challenge for providers caring for patients with syphilis. This webinar features Drs. Kathleen Jacobson, Chief of the CDPH Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control Branch and Sue Tuddenham, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, who will discuss the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of neurosyphilis.

Learning Objectives:

  • Review California and national epidemiology of neurosyphilis
  • Describe the pathophysiology of neurosyphilis
  • Delineate clinical diagnosis and management of patients with neurosyphilis

May 11, 2022

Over the last year, the Family PACT Program has added several new benefits. These include three new contraceptive methods, a diagnostic test for Mycoplasma genitalium, and modifications in STI treatments based on the 2021 CDC STI Treatment Guidelines. In this webinar, a description of the new benefits will be provided and the Family PACT policies that relate to their utilization will be discussed. There will be ample time to ask questions regarding these and other Family PACT benefits.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe and explain the three new contraceptive methods and explain how to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each with Family PACT clients
  • List three circumstances when the use of the diagnostic test for Mycoplasma genitalium is clinically indicated
  • Describe four modifications in STI treatments based on the 2021 CDC STI Treatment Guidelines

Speakers:

  • Michael Policar, MD, MPH
    Professor Emeritus, UCSF
    Senior Medical Advisor, CAPTC and California OFP
    Clinical Fellow, NFPRHA

Resources:

STI Clinical Update Webinar: Dermatologic Manifestations of STIs

May 27, 2022

Presented by Ken Katz, MD

What you see is what they’ve got! Come learn about mucocutaneous signs and symptoms of sexually transmitted infections.

Learning Objectives

  • Evaluate mucocutaneous manifestations of STIs.
  • Apply knowledge about mucocutaneous manifestations of STIs to diagnosis and management of patients.

STI Expert Hour Webinar: Herpes Simplex Virus Infections – It’s Complicated

May 2, 2022

Presented by: Christine Johnston, MD, MPH, FIDSA and Terri Warren, BA, BSN, MEd, MSN

This webinar will focus on understanding the complex situation with herpes diagnostics—who to test, when to test, how to interpret tests, and how to obtain better tests. We will also discuss developments in new treatments and prevention methods and briefly touch on herpes counseling.

Learning Objectives:

  • Participants will be able to discuss the limitations of currently available serologic diagnostic testing and how to optimize testing using a patient-centered approach.
  • Participants will understand the current landscape of new and current HSV therapeutics.
  • Participants will be able to state five key messages that should be included in counseling patients with a new or existing diagnosis of genital herpes.

STI Expert Hour Webinar: Addressing Systemic Racism in Sexual Health Settings

February 10, 2022

Presented by Leo Moore, MD, MSHPM

Social determinants of health grounded in racism may contribute to adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes. This webinar will discuss some of the systemic and individual-level influences on the sexual health care experience that can result in medical mistrust. We will also discuss opportunities and provide evidence-based recommendations to promote health equity in sexual health care for patients from communities of color.

Learning objectives

  1. Describe two social determinants of health that may be affected by systemic racism.
  2. Discuss at least one intervention that can be implemented to improve health equity in sexual health care settings.

STI Expert Hour Webinar: Why the Dose Matters: PrEP Strategies for HIV

January 11, 2022

Presented by Katherine Yang, PharmD, MPH

Pre-Exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been shown to be safe and effective in reducing HIV infection. With recent updates in PrEP, many options are available, and selection of the best regimen is the key to success. The purpose of this webinar is to review the pharmacologic basis for drug dosing and outline gaps and challenges in management.

Learning objectives

  1. Review the key pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide, and cabotegravir.
  2. Identify patients who may be appropriate for Daily vs. Event-Driven PrEP.
  3. Review key side effects of PrEP and potential strategies for management.
  4. Describe the role of adherence on PrEP effectiveness.

STI Clinical Update Webinar: Congenital Syphilis Update for California Emergency Department Clinicians

December 14, 2021
Presented by Drs. Rosalyn Plotzker and Kristopher Lyon

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) continues to see dramatic statewide increases in congenital syphilis (CS), a severe yet preventable condition when syphilis is passed from mother to fetus. In California, many infants with CS are born to parents who received care in an emergency department (ED) during pregnancy, suggesting syphilis screening in EDs may offer an important opportunity to detect syphilis in pregnancy and prevent CS.

This webinar features Dr. Rosalyn Plotzker, CDPH public health medical officer and co-author of the CDPH Expanded Syphilis Screening Recommendations for the Prevention of Congenital Syphilis. She will provide a clinical overview of CS prevention and discuss the recommendation to confirm syphilis status for pregnant patients in the ED. In addition, Dr. Kristopher Lyon, Public Health Officer and EMS medical director in Kern County, California and emergency department associate medical director, will present on syphilis screening in EDs from an on-the-ground perspective.

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe California’s congenital syphilis epidemiology
  2. Discuss the pathophysiology and management of syphilis, including among pregnant patients
  3. Explain and apply the CDPH recommendation to confirm syphilis status among pregnant patients receiving care in emergency departments

2021 CDC STI Treatment Guidelines Update: What’s New

December 10, 2021

Presented by Drs. Sharon Adler and Kelly Johnson

Learn more about the 2021 CDC STI Treatment Guidelines. Updated every 4-5 years, CDC’s STI Treatment Guidelines provide current evidence-based diagnostic, management, and treatment recommendations, and serve as a source of clinical guidance for managing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This webinar will cover 2021 changes.

Learning Objectives

  1. Learn about and become proficient with the treatment updates
  2. Discuss and be able to share the rationale for the updates
  3. Understand the changes needed and apply them to clinical practice

STI Clinical Update Webinar: San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco City Clinic

November 4, 2021

The San Francisco Department of Public Health continues to see concerning rises in sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

This half-day, virtual event provides important updates in the field of sexual health to help providers strengthen the delivery of STI prevention and care. Hear from local experts on STI epidemiology in San Francisco, important recommendations to prevent congenital syphilis, updates from the 2021 CDC STI Treatment Guidelines, and a lively case panel.

Learning Objectives

  1. Summarize current STI trends in San Francisco
  2. Identify and screen those most at risk for syphilis in San Francisco
  3. Describe updated treatment recommendations for chlamydia, gonorrhea, Mycoplasma genitalium, NGU, and trichomonas

Talking with Family Planning Clients About COVID-19 Vaccination

November 18, 2021

This webinar event is a collaboration between The California Department of Health Care Services Office of Family Planning, the California Prevention Training Center, the California Department of Public Health, and “#ThisIsOurShot” Program.

Please join two OBGYNs, Dr. LaTanya Hines and Dr. Michael Policar, for a webinar training on how to effectively communicate with your clients about COVID-19 vaccination, including overall safety, safety and efficacy during pregnancy and post-partum lactation, and the evidence regarding COVID-19 vaccination and future fertility.

Learning Objectives:

  • Why it’s important for clinicians and family planning counselors to discuss COVID-19 vaccination with clients who are seen for family planning services
  • Key messages that address common concerns of reproductive-aged individuals about the COVID-19 vaccine, especially among people who are considering becoming pregnant, are currently pregnant, and those who are lactating
  • An evidence-based methodology to tackle tough vaccine conversations and get to “yes”

Presenters:

Resources: