Sharing good practice in public health; opportunities await.

In June 2015, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) published a Guidance on HIV and STI Prevention Among Men who have Sex with Men (MSM). The document presents how MSM are disproportionally affected by HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases in all European countries. ECDC observes that

there is evidence that services to prevent, diagnose and treat infections are not being delivered at the appropriate scale to impact on transmission patterns. 

The guidance presents evidence supporting interventions that can effectively prevent and reduce HIV and STI transmission among MSM, address the needs of MSM who are living with HIV as well as promote sexual health among all MSM:

• Vaccinations; promoting hepatitis A and B vaccinations, and considering HPV
• Condoms; providing easy access to condoms and condom compatible lubricants
• HIV- and STI testing; provide voluntary and confidential HIV testing and counselling
• Treatment; timely treatment for HIV, viral hepatitis and STI should be ensured
• Health Promotion; aimed at better understanding of sexual health-related risks
• MSM-competent health services; at point of care health promotion, counselling, peer support, prevention, diagnostics and treatment
• Targeted care for MSM living with HIV; provide ART, regular STI screening, individual counselling and peer support groups

Provision of services as described above varies a lot between countries in Europe. When walking around at European public health conferences, one will notice the various levels of surprise among public health experts, when they exchange information about their daily practice in the area of STI prevention and control. This is one of the many added values of such conferences; it raises awareness of the variety in public health experience. Yet raising such awareness is only the first step in a longer chain of sharing good practice. Often there is no follow up, which is a pity;

between countries, there is a lot we can learn from each other.

What are the options for such follow up?

One obvious choice is to make an appointment to visit each other. Sometimes all that is needed is a train ticket to a neighbouring country, to learn a lot about their experience and practices in your own professional area. And especially when you have met at a conference, such appointment will be easy to make, no?

Another one is to discuss these topics within your own organisation, after returning from a conference. Instead of a single study visit to another colleague, you may be able to organise a one day workshop and invite a group of colleagues from abroad to discuss specific questions and challenges.

There is also an opportunity to contact ECDC and explore if their 'senior exchange programme' could finance a 'cross over' of experts with the aim to achieve specific learning objectives.

In general, if you and your organisation are interested in organising a workshop to improve public health functions through sharing experience with experts abroad, consider contacting Transmissible. We'll gladly explore the options with you, and see how we can bridge practical public health experience between European countries.