If the patient has more than one sexual partner, they could be given several cards that have been cut. If the patient is not able to refer the patient and authorizes the provider to do it, the card already includes information for the provider referral approach. The advantage of this type of card is that the health centre can keep a record of the partners and monitor whether or not they came for treatment. This information will be useful later to determine whether partner referral is working or not. The second card is simpler, yet it contains the essential information needed to treat the partner.
Providers can develop their own codes for the different diagnoses.
This card has an advantage because it can be used for other purposes besides referring partners of STD patients, and thus there is no stigma associated with carrying it. There are no disadvantages of this card unless it is important for the card to be part of the health centre records in some way. For any referral card system, it is important to consider both the chances for violations of patient confidentiality and the chances patients will experience social stigma. When Patient Referral Doesn't Work Despite your best efforts, sometimes a patient will refuse to refer a partner for treatment. They may have excellent reasons for refusing.