'Talking of Sex': developing and piloting a sexual health communication tool for use in primary care

To develop and pilot a communication aid aimed at increasing the frequency with which sexual health issues are raised proactively with young people in primary care.

Group interviews among primary health care professionals to guide development of the tool, simulated consultations to pre-test it, and a pilot study to assess effectiveness.

We developed an electronic consultation aid: Talking of Sex and piloted it in eight general practices across the UK. 188 patients and 58 practitioners completed questionnaires pre-intervention, and 92 patients and 45 practitioners post-intervention. There was a modest increase in the proportion of consultations in which sexual health was raised, from 28.1% pre-intervention to 32.6% post-intervention. In consultations with nurses the rise was more marked. More patients reported discussing preventive practices such as condom use post-intervention. Patients unanimously welcomed the opportunity to discuss sexual health matters with their practitioner.

The tool has capacity to increase the frequency with which sexual health is raised in primary care, particularly by nurses, to influence the topics discussed, and to improve patient satisfaction.

The tool has potential in increasing the proportion of young people whose sexual health needs are addressed in general practice.