Patient-Reported Experiences Filling Expedited Partner Therapy Prescriptions for Chlamydia, Including Recommendations for Mitigating Encountered Obstacles, New York City, 2019 to 2020

Abstract

Background: Expedited partner therapy (EPT) is commonly provided by prescription. Multiple barriers to prescription-EPT have been described, although information on patient experiences with this practice is limited.

Methods: We conducted telephone interviews from July 2019 to January 2020, with women aged 15 to 24 years who were reported to the New York City Department of Health with chlamydia and for whom a health care provider report indicated provision of prescription-EPT (patients). A standard questionnaire was used to explore patients' experiences with filling an EPT prescription for their most recent sex partner and included questions about factors that would make it easier to obtain EPT medication.

Results: A total of 425 young women were reported with chlamydia and indicated to have received prescription-EPT. We completed interviews with 245 of these patients (57.6%), of whom 204 affirmed receiving prescription-EPT (83.3%). Nearly all patients (193 of 204 [94.6%]) took actions to fill the EPT prescription (visited the pharmacy themselves (139 of 193 [72.0%]) or directed their partner to fill the prescription (54 of 193 [28.0%]). Among these patients, most reported obtaining medication (173 of 193 [89.6%]). A small number of patients reported ways to enhance EPT practices, including 22, 19, and 12 who reported factors related to payment, health care providers, and the pharmacy, respectively, that would make it easier to obtain medication. Patients highlighted the importance of reducing cost and increasing convenience.

Conclusions: Most interviewed patients successfully filled EPT prescriptions. However, some patients encountered barriers during the process. Approaches to streamline EPT practices, such as provision of medication-EPT at the point of care, are critical.