Not So Fast, Im Serofast: Using Innovative Education Techniques to Drive Management of People with Syphilis

Background An increase in syphilis cases in the United States and a global shortage of Benzathine Penicillin G (BPG) necessitate evidence-based strategies for optimization. Confusing serologies and incomplete sexual histories contribute to the overprescription of BPG, especially for patients with serofast serologies. Seronegative status occurs through natural decline rather than additional therapy. Method A longitudinal pre-post design was implemented within a health maintenance organization serving Oregon and Southwest Washington. Interventions included microlearning education, which provides quick access to clinical recommendations, and actionable patient education that empowers patients. Results BPG was administered 187 times (69 pre-intervention, 118 post-intervention), with a 7.9% relative decline in inappropriate administration (10.1% to 9.3%). No differences were observed between newly infected and reinfected patients. Patient education utilization increased from 4.3% to 6.8%, representing a 58.1% relative improvement. Clinician microlearning utilization decreased by 25.3% during the post-intervention period. Conclusion This project demonstrated modest improvements in the appropriate administration of BPG and in the utilization of patient education, although these results did not reach statistical significance. Future efforts should focus on automating patient education and improving the visibility of clinical resources. The project underscored the importance of obtaining patients treatment histories and recent exposure risks. The rising prevalence of syphilis among women who have sex with men (WSM) signals an epidemiological shift with implications for maternal and child health. Additionally, the increasing prevalence of syphilis among non-traditional risk groups highlights the need for comprehensive sexual health screening approaches to prevent adverse outcomes.