National guidelines give advice on topics which should be covered when counselling patients with a new diagnosis of genital herpes (HSV) with the aim of reducing transmissions. This three-site UK audit of documentation of counselling for patients with a new diagnosis of genital herpes reviewed the records of 284 patients. Documentation in all areas of counselling was limited and this may result in adverse medico-legal consequences for patients and clinicians.
PatelRGreenJClarkeE, et al.
2014 UK national guidelines for the management of anogenital herpes.Int J STD AIDS2015;
26: 763–776.
2.
PatelRKennedyOJClarkeE, et al.
2017 European guidelines for the management of genital herpes.Int J STD AIDS. 2017;
28: 1366–1379.
3.
RoebuckJ.Criminal liability for transmission of herpes simplex virus: R v Golding [2014] EWCA Crim 889. J Crim Law2014;
78: 294–299.
4.
ClarkeEGreenJPatelR.Sex post Golding.Br Med J2014;
349: g4457.
5.
MundayLFoleyELambT, et al.
HSV-1 counselling: what actually happens in consulting rooms? A qualitative evaluation of practice using mystery shopping in English level 3 GUM clinics. Sex Transm Infect2012;
88: A4.
6.
PuzdrowskiATownerCCannonR, et al.
Age-related inconsistencies in the quality of pregnancy related HSV-2 counselling between UK sexual health clinicians. HIV Med2018;
19: P207.
7.
TownerCPuzdrowskiACannonR, et al.
A mystery shop of genito-urinary medicine clinics evaluating the quality of advice given following a diagnosis of genital herpes type 2HIV Med2018;
19: O30.
8.
MutshatshiTEMthibaTMMamogonoPM, et al.
Record-keeping: challenges experienced by nurses in selected public hospitals. Curationis2018;
41: 1931.
9.
WedadAAbdelrahamA.Medical record keeping: clarity, accuracy, and timeliness are essential. Br Med J2014;
248: f7716.
10.
ClarkeEBhattSPatelR, et al.
Audit of the effect of electronic patient records on uptake of HIV testing in a level 3 genitourinary medicine service. Int J STD AIDS2013;
24: 661–665.
11.
CaulfieldPWillisD.Herpes simplex virus: ‘to disclose or not to disclose’. An exploration of the multi-disciplinary team’s role in advising patients about disclosure when diagnosed with genital herpes simplex virus. Int J STD AIDS2017;
28: 750–755.
12.
KesselsRPC.Patients’ memory for medical information.J R Soc Med2003;
96: 219–222.
13.
SustersicMGauchetAFooteA, et al.
How best to use and evaluate patient information leaflets given during a consultation: a systematic review of literature reviews.Health Expect2017;
20: 531–542.
14.
ColledgeACarJDonnellyA, et al.
Health information for patients: time to look beyond patient information leaflets.J R Soc Med2008;
101: 447–453.