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HIV Cross-Training Resources NewCross-Training Initiative
What is the Substance Abuse and Infectious Disease Cross-Training Initiative? Professionals in the various health care delivery systems need to understand about the connections between infectious diseases and substance abuse in order to recognize and assess these often concurrent conditions. To help encourage and strengthen a collaborative environment, including the network of resources available to clients and patients at risk as well as the local training system, this workshop brings together training participants representing the following:
Cross-training allows the acquisition of knowledge and enhancement of skills by persons who provide services to individuals at high risk for concurrent disorders such as infectious diseases and substance abuse. The intent is not to enable service providers to perform the work of others, but, to foster an improved collaborative environment to provide a continuum of care conducive to the needs of clients. Workshop participants engage in a variety of interactive learning activities with colleagues across specialties during this workshop. These Cross-Training activities can help service providers understand more about substance abuse or infectious disease, increase their appreciation of their own unique role in facilitating access to health care for at-risk individuals, and develop skills in brief screening, risk assessment, and behavior change. To ensure this process is truly multidisciplinary, a "blended" 3 to 5-member training team, representing disciplines and agencies in the locality where training is being provided, conducts the workshop. Training is also reinforced through follow-up activities. In order to ensure the continuation of collaboration across systems and building service capacity, the Cross-Training Initiative also includes a local planning committee representing the various disciplines and specialty areas. The Cross-Training Project Team works with this committee to facilitate collaboration among systems through:
Why is Cross-Training Needed? Many professionals in the public health, mental health, criminal justice, and substance abuse health care delivery systems have been inadequately prepared, either through training or experience, to fully address the complex needs of substance-abusing patients infected with HIV/AIDS, STDs, tuberculosis, or viral hepatitis. Cross-Training brings together professionals in public health, substance abuse, mental health, and criminal justice health care delivery systems to increase their understanding of both substance abuse and infectious diseases so that they can strengthen the network of resources available to their clients and patients. Cross-Training is unique in bringing public health, substance abuse, mental health, and criminal justice systems together in a shared learning environment to be trained by a team that includes experts from the different service areas and disciplines. Through the Cross-Training process, critical knowledge and skills are transferred, and a climate is created for building important linkages in the community. In addition to enhancing knowledge and skills required by multiple disciplines, the Cross-Training process allows participants to explore the attitudes, sensitivities, and the interrelated health and confidentiality issues faced by clients and service providers that could pose barriers to integration of care. Cross-Training creates synergy among providers, so that they can learn with and from each other, share best practices, and attempt to overcome personal beliefs and perspectives about patients' behavior, as well as religious or moralistic thinking that serves as a barrier to the provision of needed services. Participants develop an appreciation of each others' views, as well as an understanding of the funding, policy, and eligibility requirements that influence the scope of services that can be provided to patients. The workshops change attitudes and alter the ways that many participants work with clients, creating collaborations and service agreements. Ultimately, it is hoped that concomitant screening for substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, STDs, viral hepatitis, and TB will facilitate access to health care for at-risk individuals by promoting early identification of these problems. In addition, the appropriateness and specificity of treatment placement can be improved when a dually diagnosed client is accurately screened. The risk of illness and spread of disease to the community will thereby be reduced. For more information contact marvena.simmonds@samhsa.hhs.gov. Back to Top
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