Education provided to outgoing UK medical elective students regarding HIV risk and post exposure prophylaxis

Previous studies suggested medical schools were failing to provide sufficient support for students undertaking electives in areas with high HIV prevalence and despite updated Department of Health (DoH) guidelines, not all were advising post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) starter packs where appropriate. This study assessed whether there has been improvement in risk reduction provided by home institutions. Questionnaires were emailed to all 29 UK medical schools offering an elective. A total of 26 medical schools responded. Only one failed to offer PEP starter packs or advice on where to obtain one. Support and advice provided by the other 25 varied considerably. HIV risk education and provision of PEP to elective students has improved. A discrepancy between advice given, supervision of projects and provision of PEP starter packs across UK medical schools remains. We reiterate recommendations put forward previously that there is a need for regularly updated national guidelines published by experts, issued to all medical schools.