15th Annual Conference of the British HIV Association 1-3 April 2009, Liverpool, UK

DISTURBING SYMPTOMS 7: HOW CLINICIANS VIEWED THE STATE OF SEXUAL HEALTH WORK IN 2008–2009

HIV Med 2009 Apr 1-3 (Suppl 1);15:17 (abstract no. P8)

L Power, V Sheard and P Ward
Terrence Higgins Trust, London, UK

BACKGROUND: Disturbing Symptoms is an annual review, now in its 5th year, analyzing English clinician and commissioner views of how changes in the NHS and in patient load affected sexual health services in the previous year. In 2009 the surveys were extended to cover the whole UK. This paper addresses clinician views across the UK.

METHODS: Questionnaires were sent electronically and on paper to all BHIVA & BASHH members and clinicians were asked to respond jointly from each clinical centre. Respondents were asked a range of closed questions about their experience in the previous year, with an opportunity for open comment at the end of the questionnaire. Issues covered included budget management, patient involvement, resources and sources of support. Open questions inviting free text responses included what has most helped or hindered service provision in the last year and what would best enable further progress locally in the future.

RESULTS: At time of abstract submission the responses are still coming in. The conference will be presented with full data analysis of clinician views and preliminary conclusions, with final data to be fully published in May. The survey is expected to show not only comparative data on the impact of different health systems across the UK, but also develop themes and findings of previous years in the light of ongoing NHS change.

CONCLUSIONS: To be presented at Conference.

2009-04-01
P8

Copyright © 2009 - British HIV Association (BHIVA) Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BHIVA Organising Secretariat 1 Mountview Court, 310 Friern Barnet Lane, London N20 0LD