WISH Medical isn’t your typical STD testing clinic. Serving the Moscow, Idaho and Pullman, Washington areas, WISH in an acronym that stands for Wholly Integrated Sexual Health. This means we take a holistic approach to sexual health. The way we operate is centered on the fact that sex affects us more than physically. It can also affect us intellectually, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Because of this, our appointment process is unique.
Our STI and Reproductive Health Exam appointment process is divided into three parts: advocacy, medical testing, and results. At your first appointment, you will receive advocacy and medical testing. About a week later, you will come back for your test results.
When you arrive, you will be greeted by one of our friendly front office staff. They will ask for your ID and have you fill out some paperwork. The information you provide helps our medical team know which testing to recommend. It also helps our client advocates know which resources and information might pertain to you. After your paperwork is filled out and returned to reception, a client advocate will bring you back to a client care room and begin the appointment process.
Advocacy
At a typical medical clinic, you might be accustomed to waiting a while in the lobby after filling out your paperwork. Not at WISH. Here, meeting with an advocate gives you the opportunity to talk about your concerns and ask questions during the time you might typically spend waiting somewhere else. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on your needs.
A client advocate is a non-medical, trained mentor whose job is to support you and connect you with relevant resources and information. An advocate will address any concerns you might have and offer information about healthy relationships and sex. Our advocates and medical team operate under the same strict confidentiality guidelines. Anything you share with WISH staff will not be shared unless we are required to report something by law.
Medical Testing
After you’ve met with an advocate, you’ll receive your STD testing. Based on the information you give, they’ll recommend certain screening. At WISH, we don’t take insurance and we don’t charge for any service we can provide in-house. Some tests, however, need to be sent to a separate lab which requires a lab fee. WISH Medical does not profit from these fees. Before our medical team proceeds with any testing, they will inform you of relevant costs. WISH Medical will not turn anyone away for an inability to pay.
Results
About a week after your initial visit, you will come back to receive your results. At the beginning of this appointment, you’ll meet with an advocate again and have a chance to ask any questions, bring up new concerns, and follow up from your initial appointment. The medical professional will then meet with you to discuss your test results. If you receive a positive or abnormal STI test result, our medical team will discuss/prescribe treatment and how to manage your symptoms to be as healthy as possible. If you need support after receiving a positive test result, an advocate can meet with you either the same day or another time that works best for you.
If you are sexually active, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting tested every year or before each new partner. Schedule your appointment HERE.
More topics you might be interested in:
- What Does my Positive STD Test Mean for my Sex Life?
- How to Keep Sex from Ruining Your Sex Life
- How Healthy is Your Relationship?
- Am I Pregnant? Take this quiz.
Leann Robertson, Rn
Registered Nurse
The content on this page has been reviewed by our Registered Nurse: LeAnn Robertson.