Sexual health services are a cornerstone of public health, however, for various reasons, including access, stigma, and fear, many people do not seek sexual health services. Our priority is ensuring equitable access to these services for anyone and everyone in our community. This is why WDG Public Health has recently partnered with GetaKit.ca, an innovative online platform providing easy and discreet access to STI and HIV testing.
To learn more about the program and the vision behind it, we sat down with Patrick O’Byrne, the founder of GetaKit.ca. Patrick, a nurse practitioner with over two decades of experience in sexual health care, shared how GetaKit is breaking barriers to testing and improving access to care across Ontario.
Here’s what Patrick had to say about the inspiration, successes, and future of GetaKit.ca.
Patrick O’Byrne, founder of GetaKit.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and the inspiration behind GetaKit.ca?
I’m a nurse practitioner with over 20 years of experience in STI care in Ottawa. During the COVID-19 pandemic, access to STI and HIV testing decreased. Even before, we knew distance and stigma were major barriers. GetaKit was our solution: a website where people can order comprehensive and clinically-indicated testing without visiting an STI clinic.
How does GetaKit work, and what makes it unique?
GetaKit allows people to order the same testing they would receive in a clinic but from their computer, tablet or phone. Traditional options often require in-person visits or limited testing via virtual healthcare services. With GetaKit, people get exactly what they need, delivered discreetly to their homes.
What are some key successes or milestones for GetaKit?
Two milestones stand out:
- The validation of at-home swabs – This was a game-changer for access to testing in Ontario. We needed to confirm that self-swabbing for gonorrhea and chlamydia at home was just as accurate as swabs done in clinical settings. Our study showed it was safe and reliable, leading to improved testing access across Ontario.
- The launch of the STI testing platform – Ontario lacked an online system for STI testing, unlike British Columbia, which introduced theirs in 2014. However, BC’s model didn’t meet Ontario’s regulations. By ensuring compliance with all provincial health laws, voila, GetaKit became Ontario’s solution for STI and HIV testing.
How does GetaKit benefit individuals in our communities?
STI and HIV rates are rising, and new access points for testing are essential. While an online platform won’t work for everyone, having this option is important. Over 1,000 people test monthly through GetaKit, with 28% being first-time testers. Making testing (and subsequent treatment) conveniently available will help improve the health of the individuals while improving the population’s overall health by identifying and eliminating these infections.
What role do public health units play in GetaKit’s success?
Public health units are the foundation of GetaKit. GetaKit is an online platform that any public health unit can use to offer services to its residents. GetaKit isn’t about just getting people testing, but more importantly, it is about linking people to treatment when they need it. The public health units are the ones providing this. Without the public health units taking leadership on this testing, GetaKit would not be successful at all.
How does GetaKit address privacy and confidentiality concerns?
GetaKit is free, private, and discreet. Online registration happens at home, and testing materials arrive in unmarked packaging. Results are communicated securely, and treatment is coordinated through local public health units.
What feedback have you received from users?
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Clients like being able to access testing rapidly, without needing to travel into larger urban centres, and without needing to disclose risk practices face-to-face to healthcare providers. I recall one client, with a physical disability wrote to us about how GetaKit enabled access to testing for their situation.
What are your future plans for expanding GetaKit?
Future expansion for GetaKit will be twofold. First, we will work to have more public health units using the system. This will expand access to more areas in Ontario. Second, we wish to add new testing options as they become available. For example, new self-tests and testing approaches for syphilis and HIV.
What message do you have for people hesitant about using at-home testing?
The main message is “testing at home, but not alone”. All assessments, results and follow-up care are overseen by registered nurses and nurse practitioners. People can reach out to us at any time, and we will ensure they get the support and information they require.
For more information, visit GetaKit.ca, wdgpublichealth.ca/STI, or call 1-800-265-7293 ext. 7006.