Patient-delivered partner treatment and other partner management strategies for sexually transmitted diseases used by New York City healthcare providers

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to measure frequency and predictors of patient-delivered partner treatment (PDPT) and the frequency of other partner management strategies among New York City healthcare providers (HCPs) as well as to determine whether use of PDPT detracts from other partner management strategies. STUDY DESIGN: The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey of New York City HCPs. RESULTS: Frequent patient referral was reported by 93.6% (368 of 393) of healthcare providers; only 20% (80 of 401) reported frequent use of provider referral. Overall, 49.2% (196 of 398) of HCPs reported ever using PDPT and 27.1% (108 of 398) reported using PDPT frequently. HCP specialty, practice setting, duration of practice, report of frequent provider referral practice, and HCP race/ethnicity were the strongest predictors of PDPT use. HCPs reporting PDPT use were more likely to report frequent provider referral than those who had never used PDPT (26.7% vs. 12.6%; P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PDPT use is common and is being used in conjunction with other partner management strategies.