Improving medical residentsʼ attitudes toward HIV-infected persons through training in an HIV staging and triage clinic

Abstract

To assess the effect of a weekly outpatient clinic for staging and triage of newly identified human-immunodeficiency-virus (HIV)-infected patients on medical residents' attitudes and knowledge regarding care of HIV-infected persons. Twenty-one second- and third-year medical residents who participated in the Diagnostic Evaluation Unit (DEU) of Boston City Hospital's Clinical AIDS Program from July 1991 through December 1991 were matched with a control group of 20 residents. Both groups of residents were asked to anonymously complete self-administered questionnaires before, immediately after, and three months following the DEU rotation. Responses were compared using repeated measures analysis of variance, two-tailed t-tests, and chi-square analysis. Compared with the controls, the DEU residents showed an increased sense of feeling adequately trained to provide primary care to HIV-infected patients immediately after the rotation (p = .0002), which was sustained at the three-month follow-up (p < .001). Compared with the controls, the DEU residents also showed improved general attitudes toward treating persons with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, which persisted at the three-month follow-up, although these changes were not significant. The experience in an HIV staging and triage clinic had a positive effect on the confidence and attitudes of the medical residents. Similar training experiences may increase the willingness and capacity of physicians to provide primary care to HIV-infected persons.