title: Significant benefit of a targeted HIV testing module on medical students' knowledge and confidence.
abstract: The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of a HIV targeted-testing teaching session in improving knowledge and confidence at a London medical school. A survey assessing knowledge of HIV testing guidelines, confidence to offer testing and outcomes of targeted-testing teaching was developed and distributed to fifth year medical students. Results were compared for students who had completed GU/HIV modules (GU+) and those who had not (GU-) and chi-squared testing was performed; 100 and 119 questionnaires were returned by GU+ and GU- students (response rate of 92.6% and 97.5%), respectively. For the three knowledge-based questions, GU+ students were significantly more likely to provide correct answers for two (p < 0.001). Similarly, they were significantly more likely to feel confident in offering an HIV test (p < 0.001). After targeted-testing teaching 92%, 98% and 62% felt more confident about when to test, how to discuss testing and more knowledgeable about testing, respectively. Most students were happy to offer HIV testing in different medical settings; significantly fewer reported this for an acute admissions unit compared with antenatal clinic (79% vs 96%). Students who had received targeted-testing teaching demonstrated better knowledge and confidence about HIV testing. We hope this study raises awareness of the need to include HIV testing teaching in medical school curricula.
authors.affiliation: University College London, London, UK mickey.chong.10@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.affiliation: Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North West London NHS Foundation.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cartledge
authors.affiliation: Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North West London NHS Foundation.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Waters
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008403:Mass Screening; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Diagnosis; HIV; human immunodeficiency virus; medical education; medical students; screening