The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62029

Cheryl L. Mason, MPH¹, Laura Shelby, BA¹, Rachel Pacheco, RN¹, Sharon R. Adler, MD, MPH², Jolie Pearl, RN, MPH², Teri Anderson, MT³, and Candace Nelson, MA⁴. (1) National Epidemiology Program, Indian Health Service, 5300 Homestead Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, 505-248-4226, cheryl.mason@mail.ihs.gov, (2) California STD/HIV Prevention Training Center, 1947 Center St., Suite 201, Berkeley, CA 94704, (3) Denver Public Health, Denver STD/HIV Prevention Training Center, 605 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80204, (4) Kaiser Permanente, P.O. Box 378066, Denver, CO 80204

Background: STDs among AI/AN populations remain a substantial heath concern. Objective: To assess STD training needs among medical care providers who provide care to AI/ANs. Methods: Approximately 60 in-person structured interviews were conducted with health care providers in fourteen distinct rural and urban AI/AN health care settings. The interviews assessed training needs related to: 1) STD prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and partner management; 2) preferences in STD training logistics and modalities; and 3) receptivity of a web-based provider training program specifically designed for providers serving AI/ANs (ID-Web). Results: Most providers preferred training in the format of a brief review or STD update on diagnosis and treatment. Providers are generally receptive to online training. However, provider specific concerns related to ID-Web include: time constraints; perceived complexity of use; integrity of information; and potential linkage to performance appraisals. Conclusions: STD-focused training should be integrated with existing, widely attended medical conferences for providers serving AI/ANs. While providers are receptive to online training, ID-Web may present implementation and acceptance challenges.

Learning Objectives:

• • Identify providers’ preferred learning modalities related to the treatment of STDs in AI/ANs.
  • Describe the acceptability and perceived utility of computerized learning methods in largely underserved health care settings.

Keywords: Needs Assessment, Training

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.