Did you know that one in five adults in the U.S. has an STI? Despite this staggering statistic, many people still avoid getting tested. If you’re an organization considering offering mobile STI testing, you might wonder how to tackle the barriers preventing people from seeking care. You understand the fear, the stigma, and the inconvenience that often keeps people from getting the STI testing and help they need.
For many, the worry is often, “What if someone I know sees me?” For others, it’s the limited access to healthcare or inconvenient clinic hours that make testing feel impossible. Untreated STIs can lead to infertility, chronic pain, and other serious health issues.
At AVAN Mobility, our over 10 years of experience designing and building mobile medical vehicles have taught us about the unique challenges in the healthcare industry. We’re here to help you overcome them. While we’re experts in the field, we also recognize that we’re not the only option, and we aim to provide unbiased information to help you make the best decision.
In this article, we’ll explore five key problems that mobile STI testing can solve. Learning more about this will help you understand how this service can make a difference in your target community. You’ll gain a better understanding of how mobile STI testing can improve community health by making testing more accessible, private, and free of stigma.
What is mobile STI testing?
Rapid STI testing: People can get results quickly without waiting days.
Private consultations: Patients can talk to healthcare professionals in a confidential setting.
Accessibility: Mobile clinics reach people in remote or underserved areas where healthcare is hard to access.
This approach increases access to STI testing and eliminates barriers that often stop people from getting tested.
What problems does mobile STI testing solve?
Let’s look at some common problems of STI testing that make a mobile STI testing clinic such a worthwhile solution.
1. Solving the problem of stigma
Stigma is a major barrier that keeps many people from getting tested for STIs. The fear that others might judge or recognize them at a clinic discourages people from seeking the help they need. This issue can be even tougher for those living in close-knit communities where everyone knows everyone in the town.
Mobile STI testing offers a solution that prevents any stigma:
- Testing services come directly to the patient’s community, eliminating the need to visit a clinic where your neighbors might see you and ask why you’re there.
- Many mobile medical units have neutral branding that further protects patients from stigma and reduces anxiety levels.
This approach encourages more individuals to take charge of their sexual health, knowing people they know won’t judge them.
2. Poor healthcare accessibility
Going for STI testing can be hard for people who live far from a clinic or don’t have a way to get there. Mobile STI testing helps solve this problem by bringing the testing to the people who need it:
- Mobile medical units can drive to remote areas, making testing possible even in hard-to-reach places.
- As mentioned earlier, these units often offer rapid STI testing, which means people can get their test results quickly.
- For those who can’t easily travel, mobile STI testing is much easier than trying to find “STI testing near me” on Google and then figuring out how to get there.
When your organization brings this testing to where people are, it effectively solves the accessibility problems.
3. Solving the problem of privacy concerns
Many people worry about privacy when it comes to STI testing. Some people worry about being seen at a clinic or fear that others will share their personal information. This fear can stop them from getting the STI tests they need.
Mobile STI testing offers a solution:
- Mobile clinics provide a more private setting than traditional clinics. No one, except the patient and the healthcare worker, has to know they’re getting tested.
- The healthcare teams in mobile STI clinics protect personal information and ensure that STI test results are kept confidential.
- The mobile clinic can meet people in discreet locations, reducing the chance of encountering someone they know.
Mobile STI testing offers a private and confidential option, making it easier for people to get tested without worrying about privacy.
4. Reducing missed appointments
Missing appointments for STI testing is a common issue. Busy schedules or simply forgetting can delay testing and treatment, which might increase the spread of infections.
Mobile STI testing solves this problem by:
- The mobile unit comes to the patient’s community, so they don’t have to worry about making it to an appointment.
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Patients get a quick test on the spot without planning or booking an appointment.
- Some mobile units offer reminders and follow-ups, making it easier for patients to keep track of their STI test results and treatments.
With mobile STI testing, missed appointments are less likely, helping people get the care they need on time.
5. Reducing wait times for testing
A big issue with traditional STI testing is the long wait times at clinics. Many people skip testing because they don’t have time to sit in a busy waiting room, and they may also be unsure if walk-in clinics offer STI testing.
Mobile STI testing helps to solve this problem:
- Mobile clinics set up in convenient locations, allowing people to get a test without appointments or long waits at a clinic.
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Mobile units operate during evenings and weekends, giving people more opportunities to get tested at their convenience.
- Mobile clinics provide quick testing without crowds, helping reduce stress for those seeking care.
With an at-home STI test, people might still need to wait for lab results. Mobile STI clinics offer the benefit of free STI testing with quick results without long waits or crowds.
Check out the table below to learn about some features of the Mobile Clinic Van that make it so useful as a mobile STI testing clinic. We’ve included an example for each feature to further illustrate its practicality.
Talk to an expert about mobile STI testing clinics
You came to this article to learn about the challenges of STI testing that make it difficult for people to get the care they need. We’ve discussed how mobile STI clinics can tackle issues like stigma and accessibility, reduce wait times, and make STI testing more convenient and private.
With AVAN’s mobile healthcare solutions, you’ll be able to provide flexible, stigma-free, and accessible care that meets both your healthcare team’s needs and your target community’s expectations.
If you have any questions about mobile STI testing clinics, click the button below to talk to an expert.
Not ready to talk to someone just yet? No worries. We have some other resources you’ll find insightful.
Start with checking out our article on securing mobile clinic grants. Funding is a big hurdle for some organizations, and this article will help you out in that area.
You might also find our article on the six factors to consider when customizing a mobile clinic helpful.
