Sexually acquired herpes simplex virus infection of oropharyngeal cavity.

Abstract

Sonnex et al presented the results of a survey of 150 of their British patients' preference for signposting for their clinic: 65% chose "clinic 1A", 23% opted for another euphemistic name-for example, "Lydia clinic", 25% chose "department of genitourinary medicine" or "GU clinic", 25% chose "department of sexual health" or "sexual health clinic" and only 8% chose "genitomedical clinic" (more than one choice was allowed). At that time their clinic apparently operated under the name "clinic 1A-genitomedical clinic".' Beginning with the then new Parramatta sexual health clinic in 1979, Australian "STD clinics" have, one by one, adopted the title "sexual health clinic/centre". Our own clinic changed its name in 1990. The new name was intended to reflect the broader clinical base: which includes family planning/reproductive medicine, sexuality and relationship counselling, and other general aspects of sexual health medicine. The name also implies a proactive population health approach rather than just providing a clinical service.2 As there has been little consumer consultation about our name change, we included a question on patients' preference for a clinic name as part of a satisfaction survey. In all, 563 consecutive general clinic patients completed a satisfaction survey questionnaire in 1996. Exclusion criteria were inability to read English and attendance at a special clinic-for example, HIV eye clinic, colposcopy/gynaecology, Thai, or Chinese clinic. The M:F ratio (1:0-6), mean age (30 years), ratio ofnew to return patients (1:1.6), and proportion bom in Australia (61 %) were all consistent with the clinic's general patient profile. The patients' (mutually exclusive) responses appear in the table. The majority of our patients responded favourably or indifferently to the centre's new name. About one in five preferred "Nightingale clinic" (a name that had been promoted in the 1980s) but it was unclear whether this was an expression of preference for a euphemistic name or a desire to commemorate the fact that the building in which the centre is located is the cradle of nursing in Australia. We were surprised at the unpopularity of the names "STD clinic" and "genitourinary medicine clinic" given that the former was the name of the centre 6 years previously and, relevant to the latter name, 15% of the sample were from the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. Interpreting Sonnex et al's and our studies together, it appears that patients are relatively accepting of a variety of names for STD/HIV medicine services, particularly the name in current usage. However, "STD clinic" and "genitourinary medicine clinic" have not achieved wide acceptance. The British patients' apparent preoccupation with euphemism seems to contrast with the Australian patients' open minded attitude. It is possible that the broader service profile of Australian sexual health services has helped