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Date of Report:
05/2006
Source:
Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center (MATEC)
One of the goals for all HRSA programs is to enable 100% access to high quality health care and 0% disparity in health outcomes for all population groups. In response to the shortage of providers in underserved and minority communities, the Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center (MATEC) has developed the Individualized Clinician Training Program (ICTP). The program consists of a minimum of 40 hours of didactic and clinical training to be completed over a 12-month period, based upon the needs and interests of the participant. This training initiative gives clinicians the opportunity to expand and improve their HIV care skills, to learn from more experienced HIV clinicians and, ultimately, to be recognized as a local expert in treating HIV disease.
Providers (physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists or dentists) can either self-nominate or be referred to the program by colleagues by completing an application form. A strong applicant should work in underserved and/or minority communities at increased risk of HIV, have some experience and significant interest in treating clients with HIV, and have a willingness to become a community resource. MATEC's local clinical and program directors review the applications. After acceptance into the program, MATEC administers a baseline assessment of the participant's knowledge and skills. MATEC uses this information to plan an individualized course of study for each participant. Specialty foci have included adolescent and/or pediatric HIV, salvage ARV treatment, and nutrition. Participants can fulfill their coursework requirements by taking a variety of MATEC courses as well as attending grand rounds, special ICTP-only educational
events, or local and national conferences. Participants are encouraged to utilize local clinical directors for consulting and clinical experiences and are offered other options for HIV mentors from within the community as well. Education dinner meetings are held to foster relationships and knowledge transfer among participants.
MATEC has learned several valuable lessons from this program, including the value of networking among the participants. Initially, participants worked independently without interaction with other program participants. Dinner events proved an unexpected opportunity for peer education and will continue to be offered. Some participants have reported feeling reassured as clinicians as they recognize how much they already know about treating HIV according to current guidelines. Two important training needs have emerged beyond using state-ofthe art HIV treatment; these are cultural competence and substance use. Both topics will be covered for future participants. MATEC will also assess participant knowledge before and after the program.
Currently, Illinois has graduated five participants. In addition, four participants who have completed course requirements and are awaiting graduation. Eight clinicians are in the process of completing their program. On average, participants complete the program in 12?18 months. Several clinicians who have completed this program have indeed become expert HIV resources for their communities, achieving the goal of this program, and have returned to join the MATEC faculty. This training initiative has the potential to build connections among providers throughout the city of Chicago as well as increase the quality of and access to HIV care in areas most affected by this epidemic.
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