AIDS cases reported per 100,000 in the United States in 1996 were from 6 to 20 times higher in prison than in the general population. To provide quality care for HIV infected inmates, a department of corrections and an educational center collaborated on a project funded by a federal agency that provided training about HIV/AIDS for correctional medical providers through statewide workshops and intensive, on-site trainings. Any educational endeavor must determine the impact of training on outcomes. This project delivered competency based curriculum consistent with national HIV practice standards, individual provider learning needs and state correctional policies and procedures. Providers in all professional groups were asked to rate themselves at pre-test and post-test on a 10 point Likert scale competency instrument developed for the project. Data will be presented on the development of this new self-efficacy instrument and the resultant self-perceived competency level of correctional medical providers on each of the 21 HIV care behaviors measured by the scale. The data demonstrate interesting and disturbing findings: perceived competency levels for some critical indices, for example, mental health and pharmocologic management are in low and medium competency levels. Provider competence as a factor in managing HIV is a complex challenge. Self-efficacy is a strong predictor of provider practice. The findings from the pre/post competency measure can serve as an important framework for serving as learning needs assessments for HIV-providers, planning HIV curriculum and skills building and maintaining HIV/AIDS practice skills.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. Discuss the development of a competency instrument used to measure self-efficacy in an HIV/AIDS training project. 2. Describe the impact of competency based training and curriculum development on HIV/AIDS standards of care. 3. Identify correctional providers perceived competency levels of critical indices of HIV/AIDS care
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Correctional Health Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.