Improving medical residents' attitudes toward HIV-infected persons through training in an HIV staging and triage clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of a weekly outpatient clinic for staging and triage of newly identified human-immunodeficiency-virus (HIV)-infected patients on medical residents' attitudes and knowledge regarding care of HIV-infected persons.


METHODS
Twenty-one second- and third-year medical residents who participated in the Diagnostic Evaluation Unit (DEU) of Boston City Hospital's Clinical AIDS Program from July 1991 through December 1991 were matched with a control group of 20 residents. Both groups of residents were asked to anonymously complete self-administered questionnaires before, immediately after, and three months following the DEU rotation. Responses were compared using repeated measures analysis of variance, two-tailed t-tests, and chi-square analysis.


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), which was sustained at the three-month follow-up (p < .001). Compared with the controls, the DEU residents also showed improved general attitudes toward treating persons with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, which persisted at the three-month follow-up, although these changes were not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
The experience in an HIV staging and triage clinic had a positive effect on the confidence and attitudes of the medical residents. Similar training experiences may increase the willingness and capacity of physicians to provide primary care to HIV-infected persons.
Orlander
J D
JD
VAMC, Division of General Internal Medicine, Boston, MA 02130.
Samet
J H
JH
Kazis
L
L
Freedberg
K A
KA
Libman
H
H
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001900:Boston; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000592:standards*; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D014218:Triage