Online testing for sexually transmitted infections: A whole systems approach to predicting value.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Online testing for sexually transmitted infections has a lower unit cost than testing in clinical services and economic analysis has focused on the cost per test and cost per diagnosis in clinics and online. However, online services generate new demand for testing and shift activity between services, requiring system-level analysis to effectively predict cost-effectiveness.

Methods and findings

Routinely collected, anonymised, retrospective data on sexual health service activity from all specialist services (clinic and online) within an inner London sexual health economy were collated and harmonised to generate a complete dataset of individual level clinic attendances. Clinic activity and diagnoses were coded using nationally standardised codes assigned by clinici

SUBMITTER: Turner KME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6386384 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature