Transcript Beyond the Pouch: DIS in the 21st Century

Beyond the Pouch:
DIS in the 21st Century
Dawn Broussard, MPH
Sr. Public Health Advisor
Chicago Department of Public Health
STD/HIV Prevention and Care Program
DIS Roles Defined
~ mid-1960’s
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“A new public health professional, the
venereal disease investigator, was
introduced in the 1940’s. These
investigators, in interviewing venereal
disease patients, searched out the many
sex contacts of each known infection back
to the incubation period”.
Oh, the places you’ll go…
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Public and Private
Hospitals
Corrections
Drug Treatment
Adolescent Programming
Outreach
Bioterrorism/Emergency
Efforts
Other HD units
DIS Duties Revisited
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On-site surveillance
STD infection control
Case management
Formal and informal
training of staff
Interpret results and
recommend treatment
HIV/Hepatitis counseling
and testing
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Prevention education
Health promotion
Specimen collection
Movement of individuals
(corrections, drug
treatment)
Liaison between agency
and HD
Other duties as
assigned…
“Indigenous” DIS
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Hired by agency
Trained by health department
Dual reporting to agency and HD
supervisor
Same performance indicators as HD DIS
Participate in trainings, staff meetings and
chalk talks
Howard Brown Health Center
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The Midwest’s largest
LGBT health center
In 2003, reported
28% of MSM syphilis
cases in Chicago
Approximately 7,500
clients annually
Advantages to HD and Agency
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Fewer restrictions on how, when and
where they work
Financial savings
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Indirect costs, fringe benefits may be less
Strengthens ties between HD and agency
Expands recruitment opportunities, career
ladder for both sides
Advantages
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Better received by clients
Clinical and case management services in same
location
Perceived as more empathetic, less judgmental
Not viewed as “government” interference in
personal life
Providers encourage clients to see HBHC DIS
On-site referrals to social services
A little bit of data…
Syphilis Cases Interviewed
CDPH
Clinic
88%
HBHC
95%
Cases Interviewed w/in 3 Days 73%
79%
Contact Index for MSM Cases
1.0
1.0
Cluster Index
0.2
0.1
H&J Rate for P/S/A
14%
9%
Conclusion
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DIS are not relics from another
era
“Indigenous” DIS can enhance
program’s ability to reach
specific target populations
DIS have a unique skill set that
allows them to take on
numerous roles
DIS continue to provide STD
programs with the flexibility
needed to respond to changing
priorities
Acknowledgements
Andrew Delicata
Jan Hiland
Gus Conda
Lisa Varella
For More Information:
Dawn Broussard
Phone: (312) 747-3447
Email: [email protected]