Abstract
Background
Clinical rotations in HIV primary care provide a unique opportunity to teach trainees about the management of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI), and enhance trainees’ skills in obtaining a culturally-competent sexual history. Positive educational experiences in this setting may also influence trainees’ decisions to pursue a career in HIV Medicine and Infectious Diseases (ID). However, little is known about the impact of an HIV clinic rotation on trainees’ fund of knowledge regarding HIV and STI management, confidence in obtaining a sexual history, or interest in HIV and ID as a career choice.
Methods
Third year medical students and Internal Medicine residents rotate for two to four weeks in UCSD’s HIV primary care clinic. Over a six month period (September, 2019 - February, 2020) trainees were given a pre and post rotation survey to evaluate their fund of knowledge in managing patients with HIV and other STIs, their confidence in taking a sexual history, and their interest in pursuing a career in HIV and ID.
Results
Twenty-one of the 31 trainees completed both the pre- and post-rotation survey. Residents and medical students comprised 57% (12) and 43% (9) of the cohort, respectively. Fund of knowledge regarding antiretroviral management, HIV transmission, and STI diagnosis and treatment improved following the rotation (Figure. 1). Trainees’ confidence in their ability to manage patients with HIV and obtain a sexual history also improved (Figure. 2). Importantly, there was a substantial increase in the proportion of trainees interested in pursuing a career in HIV and ID after the rotation compared to beforehand (Figure. 2).
Fund of Knowledge Pre and Post Rotation
Self-Perceived Competency and Interest in HIV Clinical Care
Conclusion
Clinical rotations in HIV primary care provide valuable learning experiences for trainees by improving their fund of knowledge about HIV and STIs, and their self-efficacy in obtaining a sexual history. These clinical experiences may also be important in recruiting trainees to pursue a career in HIV and ID. Given the importance of these clinical skills and the need to increase the number of trainees entering the field, additional support for educational experiences in HIV primary care clinics is warranted.
Disclosures
All Authors: No reported disclosures
An HIV Primary Care Rotation Improved HIV and STI Knowledge, Enhanced Sexual History-Taking Skills, and Increased Interest in a Career in Infectious Diseases among Medical Students and Residents
