Case 2: Screening for High-risk Behavior

Question | Discussion | References | CME Credit

You answered:

	Patient-administered questionnaires and computer-assisted screening for sexual risk behavior have minimal value since they typically yield reports of fewer sexual high-risk behaviors than those obtained through a face-to-face interview with a clinician.

This answer is incorrect. Patient-administered questionnaires and computer-assisted screening for high-risk sexual behavior may yield a more complete report of risk behaviors than clinician-directed sexual histories. Thus, patient-administered screening can provide an efficient way to incorporate initial screening for high-risk behavior related to HIV transmission into a busy office practice.

	If he told you he had a steady partner for the past 5 years, it would not be necessary to obtain additional information regarding sexual history.
	Although his diabetes control and response to antiviral medications should be addressed during this visit, screening for high-risk behavior related to HIV transmission should also ideally be performed during the initial clinic visit.
	Open-ended questions that broach topics such as condom use are ineffective in obtaining useful information regarding sexual history.

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