Evolution of the Development of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines in Thailand

Abstract

Treatment guidelines for sexually transmitted infections (STI), which are based on evidence-based medicine, are important tools for taking appropriate care for patients and achieving mutual goal between practitioners and the patients. The purpose of this study was to review the development of STI treatment guidelines in Thailand with regard to the process and the update of the contents. It was conducted as a descriptive study through a review of available documents. It was found that the development of the treatment guidelines for sexually transmitted infections bagan in 1988 by the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health. Up to the year 2015, 7 revisions had been made. The main users were physicians and health care workers. The procedures and contents were described in details. The authors recommended that future revision should be performed through a multidisciplinary group and utilization of evidence-based medicine in accordance with the context of Thailand. Furthermore, the guideline dissemination should cover private sector such as private hospitals and clinics as well as community pharmacies in order to improve the quality of STI care in the country.