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Background Cases of Neisseria gonorrhea are on the rise in Canada, which-if undetected or undertreated-can lead to morbidity and infertility. In addition, the number of antimicrobial resistant strains is also increasing creating the risk that N. gonorrhea may become untreatable. In 2013, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) released Canadian recommendations for the management and treatment of gonorrhea that identified the need for combination therapy to address and minimize antimicrobial resistance. However, the level of awareness and uptake of these guidelines is not well-known. Objectives To assess primary care physicians' prescribing practices for the management and treatment of gonorrhea. Methods After validity testing, two online cross-sectional surveys were conducted with a convenience sample of Canadian physicians. Physicians answered true/false statements and open-ended questions relating to three clinical scenarios: 1) suspected anogenital infection drawing from a population of men who have sex with men (MSM); 2) suspected anogenital infection drawing from a non-MSM population; and, 3) suspected pharyngeal infection drawing from any population. Frequencies of responses were calculated for the statements. Open-ended responses were recoded into treatment categories and frequencies were calculated for each scenario. Results A total of 625 physicians completed the survey. Most physicians (60%-95%) accurately identified knowledge statements regarding pharmaceutical management, partner notification and public health reporting. For all clinical scenarios, 30%-35% of physicians did not provide any treatment information, approximately 30% indicated treating with cephalosporin monotherapy, 20%-25% indicated they would prescribe a cephalosporin and azithromycin and a minority of physicians identified other treatment options. When physicians were asked about the purpose of the second antibiotic, azithromycin, 49% indicated it was to provide presumptive treatment for gonorrhea and chlamydia. Forty-one percent indicated it was to provide presumptive treatment for chlamydia only. Conclusion This convenience sample suggests that although knowledge of pharmaceutical management, partner notification, and public health reporting is high, the use of combination therapy to deter the development of antimicrobial resistant gonorrhea may not be widespread among primary care physicians. In light of both the growing incidence of N. gonorrhea and the rising rates of antimicrobial resistance in Canada, consideration on how to improve awareness and update of best prescribing practices in primary care may be indicated.

Background Moving clinical guidelines into practise requires the development of clinical knowledge products to aid family practitioners. A variety of product types and formats may need to be used to suit different needs by career-stage. Methods To evaluate the sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) knowledge product needs of practitioners, information was elicited from a convenience sample (N = 207) of family medicine practitioners at a national Canadian family medicine forum in Toronto between November 15 and 17, 2013. Analysis was stratified by years of practise to identify ways to reach different generations of practitioners concerning STI and HIV clinical recommendations. The Fishers exact and chi-square test was used to determine statistical significance. Data was collected on preferences on clinical aids; methods used to update clinical knowledge; and preferred formats of accessing STI guidelines. Results All practitioners expressed preferences for concise clinical aids such as algorithms (64.2%) and abbreviated pocket guides (35.3%), in addition to prompts on electronic medical records (32.9%). On-line training and education were preferred by early-career practitioners ( Conclusions These findings demonstrate generational differences in preferred formats and methods of accessing STI and HIV clinical information; public health programmes may wish to deliver information using different approaches to reach different practitioners.

Background Clinical guidelines play a critical role in the prevention and control of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs). Little is known in Canada as to the uptake of clinical recommendations and the comfort-level of family practitioners performing STBBI-related clinical tasks. Methods To evaluate the prevention and control of STBBIs by family practitioners, information was elicited from a convenience sample (N = 207) of family practitioners at a national Canadian family medicine forum in Toronto between November 15 and 17, 2012 using two methods: audience response systems (during a symposium) and a self-administered questionnaire at an exhibition booth. Analysis was stratified by years of practise to identify any differences in STI risk assessments, treatment of gonorrhoea and offering of HIV testing. The Fisher’s exact and chi-square tests were used to determine statistical significance. Results Approximately 26.3% of early-career-practitioners ( Conclusions Results indicate a need to improve uptake of STI and HIV clinical recommendations among all practitioners, but particularly among mid-to-late-career practitioners.