Ramos Filho CF, Santos CE, Silva MA, Rossi SS, Andrade Neto JL, Diaz RS, Del Bianco R; IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment (2nd : 2003 : Paris, France).
Antivir Ther. 2003; 8 (Suppl.1): abstract no. 645.
Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases
Brazil provides free antiretroviral drugs to patients clinically eligible according to nationally developed guidelines. Drugs are dispensed through special healthcare units, in compliance with the aforementioned rules. Units are staffed by physicians with varying degrees of training in infectious diseases and/or HIV/AIDS medicine. It is recognized that the result of HAART is dependent on the provider of care's expertise. There is concern that physician knowledge might be deficient. With the support of the IAS SHARE Programme, the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases and the National AIDS Programme developed an Advanced Course on the Clinical Management of HIV/AIDS. This is a 4-day, residential, 24 hours-long course, offered free of charge to physicians involved in the care of HIV/AIDS patients in the public health setting. The course employs a skills-building technique, with small-group discussion of clinical cases, lectures, formal conferences and interactive sessions. One hundred and twenty physicians were initially selected. Physicians were asked to classify their knowledge in the clinical management of STDs, hepatitis and HIV/AIDS in a scale from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent). The proportions of participants grading their knowledge as excellent were 14%, 10%, and 21% respectively; proportions of gradings as good were 36%, 21%. Nevertheless, a 46 multiple choice questions questionnaire elicited a mean rate of correct answers of 56%. After the course completion, this rate rose to 70%. CONCLUSION: Notwithstanding the excellent results obtained thus far with HAART in Brazil, physicians involved in HIV/AIDS care in the public health sector show deficiencies in knowledge on the clinical management of HIV/AIDS.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
- Brazil
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Patient Compliance
- Physicians
- Questionnaires
- Self Assessment (Psychology)
- methods
Other ID:
UI: 102262926
From Meeting Abstracts