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Human immunodeficiency virus risk awareness. Evaluation of a CME program for family physicians
Objective:
To determine whether a continuing medical education (CME) program on AIDS risk awareness would enhance physicians' knowledge of HIV and AIDS, their "intent-to-change" practice behaviour, and their ability to integrate their knowledge into hypothetical clinical scenarios; and to identify participant characteristics that affect their knowledge of risks and how they intend to behave regarding HIV testing.
Design:
Before-and-after study using a questionnaire.
Setting:
The city of Winnipeg and 16 rural communities in Manitoba.
Participants:
Convenience sample of physicians who attended the AIDS Risk Awareness Program and completed a questionnaire before the presentation (96 of 142 eligible physicians).
Main Outcome Measure:
A two-point or greater change on a Likert scale in the desired direction for each questionnaire item.
Results:
Physicians were classified as sensitized or less sensitized depending on previous experience with HIV-positive and AIDS patients. Less sensitized physicians significantly improved their scores in all three areas. Sensitized physicians and women physicians significantly improved their knowledge and reported more intent to ask patients routinely about HIV risk behaviours. Physicians' sex, age, religion, and years in practice had an effect on these improvements.
Conclusions:
The AIDS Risk Awareness Program was successful in improving physicians' knowledge, attitude to intent-to-change behaviour and ability to integrate knowledge into practice scenarios. Physicians with true learning needs benefited the most from the CME program.