Heather-Marie reassured us that PrEP demedicalization is safe, effective, efficient and allows for better utilisation of health care resources and clinician time. We learnt that models led by nurses, pharmacists and/or community providers also permitted greater uptake and use of PrEP. In particular, the nurse-led EPIC NSW model demonstrated significant success in reducing recent HIV infections.
Our clinic has recently been reviewing ways in which we can improve the efficiency of our PrEP service. We have found that our clinic has become overwhelmed by the enormous number of individuals both initiating and maintaining PrEP. It has had a significant impact on our ability to provide care to our more complex HIV clients as well as those needing management of sexually transmitted infections. Heather-Marie’s presentation provided us with tried and tested strategies that we can implement in order to improve our PrEP delivery service and conserve clinician time for more complex presentations. Our clinic has a number of skilled nurses and pharmacists who would be more than capable of leading PrEP care with the support of on-site physicians for more complex cases.
Author bio: I am a new (first year) Advanced Trainee in Sexual Health and HIV Medicine. I recently completed Basic Physician Training last year. My previous undergraduate background has been in pathology working as a medical scientist in microbiology and haematology. I am currently working in the Sexual Health and HIV clinic at Biala (Royal Brisbane Hospital) and attending this conference would provide an invaluable experience for my clinical practice.
