Recent Submissions

  • What do senior genitourinary medicine physicians think of the future of the speciality? A national survey.

    Carlin, Elizabeth (International Journal of STD & AIDS, 2021-10)
    Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) is a specialty that has undergone significant change over the past decade. Multiple factors have contributed to this including changes in service models and commissioning landscapes, health service leadership, medical education and changes in the spectrum of our clinical work. The Joint Specialist Committee for GUM at the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) conducted a national survey in December 2019 - January 2020 to understand the changing scope of work for GUM consultants. The survey indicated an increase in clinical complexity alongside a decline in registrar recruitment, staff shortages and service fragmentation. Funding cuts have impacted many services and the majority of consultants feel a return to an NHS commissioning model would be preferable. Despite the many challenges, GUM physicians consider the specialty 'unique, dynamic, friendly and open-minded'. It is clear that senior doctors value the wider clinical, academic and educational opportunities within the specialty.
  • British Association of Sexual Health and HIV national guideline on the management of sexually acquired reactive arthritis 2021

    Carlin, Elizabeth
    These guidelines update the 2008 UK guideline for the management of sexually acquired reactive arthritis. The guideline is aimed at those over the age of 16 years, presenting to healthcare professionals working in sexual health services. The recommendations are primarily aimed at services offering level 3 care in sexually transmitted infection management within the United Kingdom. However, the principles will apply to those presenting to level 1 and 2 services, and appropriate local referral pathways will need to be developed.
  • Achieving public health competencies for genitourinary medicine trainees: a peer-led education programme.

    Baugh, Amy; Garley, Janet (2015-08)
    Public health is one of the curriculum requirements in the current specialist training curriculum for genitourinary medicine (GUM), 2010. The specialty of GUM has always had to address both the needs of individual patients and those of the general population. Population health remains at the centre of service configuration and local strategy.
  • BASHH membership and its benefits.

    Carlin, Elizabeth (2014-05)
    The article presents information on the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) membership and its benefits. It was created in 2003 via the merger of the Medical Society for the Study of Venereal Diseases, which was formed in 1922, and the Association for Genitourinary Medicine, which was formed in 1992. The objective of BASHH is to be the lead professional representative body for those practicing sexual health.
  • Tendering: six steps to successful bidding.

    Carlin, Elizabeth (2016-08)
    The article discusses a six-steps guidance from the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) for tendering sexual health services. The six steps include the establishment of relationships with the sexual health team and provider, reduction of the risk of sexual health service being placed for tender, and influence the local service specifications.
  • Sexually acquired reactive arthritis.

    Carlin, Elizabeth (2016-04)
    Sexually acquired reactive arthritis (SARA) may present acutely to general physicians. It is important to consider the condition and to identify key features in the history and examination so that appropriate investigations are taken and optimum treatment is given. Involvement of relevant specialists in the management is essential and where sexually transmitted infections are identified, partner notification is required.
  • What impact has tendering had on trainees? Results of a national survey by British Association for Sexual Health and HIV Trainees' Collaborative for audit, research and quality improvement projects.

    Carlin, Elizabeth (2018-01)
    In April 2013, local authorities gained responsibility for commissioning sexual health services in England. With many services going out to tender and resultant change in services or service provider, there is anecdotal evidence that this has impacted on the education, training and morale of genitourinary medicine (GUM) trainees. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of tendering on GUM trainees. An electronic survey designed by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV Trainees' Collaborative for Audit, Research and Quality Improvement Projects (T-CARQ) was distributed to GUM trainees and newly appointed consultants. Eighty-two individuals responded (74% GUM trainees, 25% newly appointed consultants, 1% locum appointed for service). Sixty-three per cent (45/72) had experience of training within a service which was being tendered. Of these, 59% (24/41) felt their training was not considered during the tendering process and 20% (8/41) felt that it was. Forty-four per cent (18/41) felt adequately supported. Thirty per cent (12/40) reported active participation in the tendering process. On a scale of 0 (no impact) to 5 (major impact), the median score for impact of tendering on training was 2. The positive/negative impact of tendering on different training elements was rated: other than management experience the overall impact on all parameters was negative, namely morale, senior support and education. In conclusion, this survey describes the variable impact of service tendering on GUM training. Our recommendations for maintaining training standards despite tendering include actively involving trainees and education partners, inclusion of specialist GUM training in service specifications, development of guidance for commissioners and services for the management of GUM training within tendering.