IMPROVING MEDICAL RESIDENTS ATTITUDES TOWARD HIV-INFECTED PERSONS THROUGH TRAINING IN AN HIV STAGING AND TRIAGE CLINIC

Purpose. To assess the effect of a weekly outpatient clinic for stagin g and triage of newly identified human-immunodeficiency-virus (HIV)-in fected patients on medical residents' attitudes and knowledge regardin g care of HIV-infected persons. Method. Twenty-one second- and third-y ear medical residents who participated in the Diagnostic Evaluation Un it (DEU) of Boston City Hospital's Clinical AIDS Program from July 199 1 through December 1991 were matched with a control group of 20 reside nts. Both groups of residents were asked to anonymously complete self- administered questionnaires before, immediately after, and three month s following the DEU rotation. Responses were compared using repeated m easures analysis of variance, two-tailed t-tests, and chi-square analy sis. Results. Compared with the controls, the DEU residents showed an increased sense of feeling adequately trained to provide primary care to HIV-infected patients immediately after the rotation (p = .0002), w hich was sustained at the three-month follow-up (p < .001). Compared w ith the controls, the DEU residents also showed improved general attit udes toward treating persons with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, which persisted at the three-month follow-up, although these changes were not significant. Conclusion. The experience in an HIV staging and triage clinic had a positive effect on the confidence and attitudes o f the medical residents. Similar training experiences may increase the willingness and capacity of physicians to provide primary care to HIV -infected persons.