2559. A Novel Approach to Interprofessional Education to Expand HIV Workforce Pipeline

Abstract

BackgroundEffective care for persons living with HIV (PLWH) requires a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach that includes social workers, physicians, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, social workers and community outreach workers. Unfortunately, these individuals often work and train independently of one another without a full sense of the responsibilities and contributions of others. Too often, this results in fragmented or ineffective care.MethodsIn response to the need to improve exposure to both HIV and coordinated interdisciplinary care, the Kentucky AIDS Education and Training Center at the University of Kentucky developed the HIV Interprofessional Education (IPE) Program in 2016. This dynamic IPE links students in multiple professional training programs (including pharmacy, medical, social work, and physician assistant students) to a year-long curriculum designed to acquire advanced skill sets for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. This curriculum includes inpatient and outpatient shadowing opportunities with multiple departments, didactic seminars, flexible mentored learning, and a collaborative capstone project designed to impact the local HIV community.ResultsWe report on the development of this program as well as a comprehensive assessment of the quantitative and qualitative experiences of our trainees. Participants reported significant improvements in their understanding of not only the complexities of the continuum of care for PLWH but also on how to improve care by enhancing collaboration between disciplines. They also reported development of critical and generalizable skills including taking a social history, addressing co-morbid mental health and substance abuse issues, cultural competency, screening and prevention strategies for HIV. ConclusionAs we strive to provide comprehensive and effective care for PLWH aimed at achieving the goals of universal test and treat and retention in care, we must find way to improve crosstalk and understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of modern medical care. Ideally, this begins during training. We present our experience in the development of a novel and highly effective program which has spanned multiple departments and has substantially impacted the approach to HIV care in our trainees. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.