[The practice guideline 'The STD consultation' from the Dutch College of General Practitioners; a response from the perspective of general practice]. / De standaard 'Het soa-consult' van het Nederlands Huisartsen Genootschap; reactie vanuit de huisartsgeneeskunde.

The new guidelines from the Dutch College of General Practitioners on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) replace three existing practice guidelines covering a number of sexually transmitted diseases. In the Netherlands the general practitioner treats almost 75% of all patients with an STD. These include patients with symptoms, patients who are worried or anxious, and patients at high risk of an STD. STD-risk assessment should be regarded as a high priority. Chlamydia-infection remains the most prevalent STD. It is easily diagnosed by DNA-diagnostic amplification techniques. The new guidelines recommend more proactive and wider testing. There is much emphasis on counselling, prevention and notifying partners. General practice is the ideal setting for this.