Healthcare professionals questionnaire evaluation of an education intervention to strengthen their HIV testing in high prevalence general practices in a city within the southwest of England

Charlotte Davies, Joanna Kesten, Jeremy Horwood, Mark Gompels, Megan Crofts, Annette Billing, Barbara Coleman, Margaret May

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

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Abstract

Background

To encourage appropriate HIV testing, a city council commissioned an education intervention in GP-practices with high HIV prevalence within a city in Southwest England. We report on a questionnaire administered to obtain feedback on the appropriateness and usefulness of the training from participant healthcare professionals’ (HCPs).

Methods

Education sessions (~1-hour) based on the MEDFASH ‘HIV testing in practice’ online educational tool were delivered as a stepped-wedge randomised controlled trial in 19 GP-practices with a high HIV practice population prevalence (>2/1000). Feedback on the training was via paper-based evaluation questionnaires completed immediately after the training. Mean scores for seven statements were calculated using a 4 point scale (1=strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3= agree, 4= strongly agree).

Results

Training sessions were attended by 169 HCPs of whom 93 were GPs, 53 nurses and 23 ‘others’ (e.g. practice manager). 127 (75%) of evaluation questionnaires were completed. Mean scores were above 3 for the following statements: ‘I can apply the information gained from the training in my practice setting ‘and ‘The trainer actively involved me in the learning process’ scored the highest (mean score 3.7). Statements that participants were ‘more aware of the BHIVA and NICE guidelines on HIV testing’ scored the lowest (mean score 3.4). Three statements ‘The training met my professional educational needs’ and ‘As a result of the training I feel more confident in my ability to discuss HIV testing with a patient’ and ‘More confident in my ability to conduct HIV testing’ all received a mean score of 3.6. When participants were asked: What do you feel were the strengths of the training? Examples of free-text responses included: “Interactive", summarised risk factors, who to test, how to refer” and “Raising awareness, information about prevalence and presenting symptoms to be aware of”. When asked: Would you do anything differently in your practice setting as a result of this training? Responses included “Yes offer testing to more patients, be more aware of those needing testing” and “Yes more likely to offer as part of routine tests”.

Conclusion

The delivery of the HIV training was received positively by the majority of HCPs, who gained more awareness of BHIVA and NICE HIV testing guidelines. HCPs reported feeling more confident around discussing and conducting an HIV test immediately post training.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAbstracts of the 23rd Annual Conference of the British HIV Association (BHIVA), Liverpool, UK, 4–7 April 2017
PublisherWiley
Pages63
Number of pages1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2017

Publication series

NameHIV Medicine
PublisherWiley
NumberS1
Volume18
ISSN (Print)1464-2662
ISSN (Electronic)1468-1293

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