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Point of Care Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections

Anne Rompalo, MD, ScM

What are sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and why do we care? What is point of care testing (POCT)? What do clinicians and patients want and need from the POCT for STIs?

Point of care testing, or medical diagnostic testing done at the time of patient care, is an important tool for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections. This course looks at point of care testing for sexually transmitted infections from the perspective of the clinician, the patient, and the regulatory environment.

Learners will hear from experts about the basics of sexually transmitted infections, the methods of diagnosis, and then dive more deeply into the why and how of point of care testing.

Note: This course discusses the specifics of sexually transmitted infections in detail, including photos of genitalia exhibiting symptoms of these infections.

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What's inside

Syllabus

STIs: What are they and why do we care?

Bacterial STIs

Viral STIs, Diagnosing STIs, and STI Clinical Services

STI POCTs: Are they currently used and how?

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the importance of point-of-care testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in detail

Taught by experts in the field of sexually transmitted infections

Covers both the basics and advanced topics related to STI POCTs, making it suitable for learners with varying levels of knowledge

Provides practical insights into the clinical application of STI POCTs

Suitable for healthcare professionals, researchers, and anyone interested in gaining a comprehensive understanding of STI POCTs

May be particularly valuable for clinicians who want to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in STI diagnostics

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Coming soon We're preparing activities for Point of Care Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Point of Care Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Infection Control Nurse

Infection Control Nurses plan and implement infection prevention and control programs in healthcare facilities. The course content on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and point of care testing (POCT) for STIs provides a solid foundation for this role. Understanding the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of STIs is crucial for developing effective infection control measures. Furthermore, knowledge of POCT for STIs enables Infection Control Nurses to evaluate and implement appropriate testing strategies to prevent and control the spread of these infections in healthcare settings.

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Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Clinical Laboratory Scientists perform a wide range of laboratory tests to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The course on POCT for STIs provides valuable insights into the principles and methods of POCT, which is becoming increasingly important in clinical laboratories. Understanding the specific requirements and challenges of STI testing in a point-of-care setting is essential for Clinical Laboratory Scientists to ensure accurate and timely results.

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STI Counselor

STI Counselors provide information and support to individuals who have or are at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The course on POCT for STIs equips learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively counsel patients and promote STI prevention. Understanding the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of STIs enables STI Counselors to provide accurate information and support to their clients.

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Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurses work to prevent and control diseases within communities. The course on POCT for STIs provides a solid foundation for this role by addressing the public health aspects of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Understanding the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of STIs is essential for developing and implementing effective public health interventions to prevent and control the spread of these infections in communities.

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Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes and patterns of diseases within populations. The course on POCT for STIs provides a valuable introduction to the principles and methods of epidemiology, with a focus on sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Understanding the epidemiology of STIs is crucial for Epidemiologists to conduct research and develop effective strategies for prevention and control.

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Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare Administrators plan, organize, and manage healthcare facilities and services. The course on POCT for STIs provides insights into the challenges and opportunities of implementing point-of-care testing in healthcare settings. Understanding the benefits, limitations, and regulatory considerations of POCT is essential for Healthcare Administrators to make informed decisions and ensure the effective implementation of these technologies.

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Physician Assistant

Physician Assistants provide healthcare services under the supervision of a physician. The course on POCT for STIs equips learners with the knowledge and skills to perform point-of-care testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in clinical settings. Understanding the principles and methods of POCT empowers Physician Assistants to provide timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment of STIs, improving patient outcomes and reducing the spread of these infections.

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Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioners provide primary and specialty healthcare services to patients across the lifespan. The course on POCT for STIs equips learners with the knowledge and skills to perform point-of-care testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in clinical settings. Understanding the principles and methods of POCT empowers Nurse Practitioners to provide timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment of STIs, improving patient outcomes and reducing the spread of these infections.

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Medical Technologist

Medical Technologists perform laboratory tests and analyze results to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The course on POCT for STIs provides valuable insights into the principles and methods of point-of-care testing, which is becoming increasingly important in medical laboratories. Understanding the specific requirements and challenges of STI testing in a point-of-care setting is essential for Medical Technologists to ensure accurate and timely results.

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Health Educator

Health Educators develop and implement educational programs to promote health and prevent disease. The course on POCT for STIs provides valuable insights into the principles and methods of health education, with a focus on sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Understanding the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of STIs is essential for Health Educators to develop and deliver effective educational programs to prevent and control the spread of these infections.

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Social Worker

Social Workers provide support and assistance to individuals and families who are facing challenges. The course on POCT for STIs may be useful for Social Workers who work with individuals who have or are at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Understanding the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of STIs can help Social Workers to provide informed support and assistance to their clients and connect them with appropriate resources.

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Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medications and provide information on their use. The course on POCT for STIs may be useful for Pharmacists who work in settings where they provide patient counseling and support. Understanding the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of STIs can help Pharmacists to provide accurate information and support to their patients and refer them for appropriate testing and treatment if necessary.

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Physician

Physicians diagnose and treat diseases and injuries. The course on POCT for STIs may be useful for Physicians who specialize in infectious diseases, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or primary care. Understanding the principles and methods of POCT for STIs can help Physicians to provide timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment of STIs, improving patient outcomes and reducing the spread of these infections.

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Laboratory Technician

Laboratory Technicians perform laboratory tests and analyze results under the supervision of a Medical Technologist. The course on POCT for STIs provides valuable insights into the principles and methods of point-of-care testing, which is becoming increasingly important in medical laboratories. Understanding the specific requirements and challenges of STI testing in a point-of-care setting is essential for Laboratory Technicians to assist in the accurate and timely reporting of results.

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Microbiologist

Microbiologists study microorganisms and their interactions with other organisms. The course on POCT for STIs may be useful for Microbiologists who specialize in sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Understanding the principles and methods of POCT for STIs can help Microbiologists to develop new diagnostic tests and improve our understanding of the epidemiology and transmission of these infections.

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Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Point of Care Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Manson's Tropical Diseases E-Book

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An excellent reference for understanding the diagnostic approaches, including point-of-care testing, as well as the clinical management of STIs, especially for healthcare providers working in resource-limited settings.

Manson's Tropical Diseases E-Book

Kindle Edition

$$$$

Health Psychology

Save

Provides comprehensive coverage of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including their epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment. It valuable resource for clinicians who care for patients with STIs.

Health Psychology: Theory, Research and Practice

Hardcover

$$$$

Health Psychology: Theory, Research and Practice

Kindle Edition

$$$$

Fundamentals of HIV Medicine 2021

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of the diagnosis, management, and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. It valuable resource for clinicians and public health professionals who work with patients with STDs.

Point of Care Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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