Measuring the outcomes of a comprehensive HIV care course: pilot test at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Kampala, Uganda
No Thumbnail Available
Date
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Abstract
Description
Objective: To evaluate the effects of the Infectious Diseases Institute’s 4-week course for African doctors on comprehensive management of HIV including antiretroviral therapy on four outcomes: (1) clinical skills, (2) clinical activities, (3) monitoring of HIV patients, and (4) training activities Design: Clinical exam at beginning and end of course and at followup 3 to 4 months later, and a cross-section telephone survey. Methods: Forty-seven doctors attending the course (October 2004, November 2004, March 2005, and April 2005) agreed to participate. A 17-item Clinical Exam Checklist was used to assess clinical skills. A telephone survey was conducted 1 month after the course to collect data in four areas: clinical activities, monitoring of HIV patients, case studies on initiation of ART, and training activities. Results: The course improved the clinical skills of doctors. Between the beginning and end of the course, their clinical skills improved significantly in 11 of 17 areas (n = 34). Between the end of the course and follow-up, their skills improved significantly in three areas (n = 14). The trainees were practicing HIV care and training. The telephone survey (n = 46) showed that 93% of trainees treated HIV patients, 35% provided training on HIV, and 47% monitored the weight of the last HIV patient treated (patient’s weight was a clinical end point to measure health status). At follow-up, everyone provided training and trained an average of 20 people per month.
Academic Alliance for AIDS Care and Prevention in Africa
Academic Alliance for AIDS Care and Prevention in Africa
Keywords
HIV infections, Highly active antiretroviral therapy, Developing countries, Sub-Saharan Africa, Continuing medical Education, Clinical competence, Antiretroviral therapy, HIV/AIDS