What do patients want most from sexual health services?

Abstract

Changes to sexual health clinics have recently been driven by government waiting time targets. However, patients' needs and expectations should be equally important when making service alterations. This study sought to determine what patients valued most when attending an integrated sexual health clinic. During February 2009, 252 patients attending a sexual health clinic in outer London completed an anonymous questionnaire. The questionnaire asked for their views on different aspects of sexual health care. The results showed that the most highly valued aspects of care were confidentiality (18.47% of points allocated) followed by speed of service (13.1%) and rapid test results (12.12%). These aspects were more important than being seen within 48 hours (7.78%), technical expertise (6.26%) or other patient-centred aspects of care. These findings, which represent patients' views, have important implications for service design.