title: The Value of Experiential Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinical Training in the Digital Age.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The translation of evidence-based guidelines for sexually transmitted disease (STD) care into clinical practice is crucial for the prevention and control of STDs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants in a hands-on, multifaceted, small-group STD Clinical Intensive Course from 2006 to 2013 were asked to complete a survey regarding course content and value compared with other continuing education courses. Survey respondents with demographic and professional information were compared with all other course participants. χ Statistics were used to test for differences in proportions; the Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to evaluate for trends in response rate by year of training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 113 respondents (35.9% response rate), 92.9% felt that clinical knowledge stayed longer, 84.1% changed clinical practice more, and 90.3% recommended the course more, compared with other continuing education programs in which they had participated previously. Respondents' average suggested registration fee should the course no longer be free was $188.90. Physician assistants and advanced practice nurses were overrepresented among respondents (69.4% vs. 58.1%, P = 0.04); more recent course participants were more likely to respond (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that this STD experiential clinical training program is still relevant to participants in the digital age and is valued more highly than other continuing education experiences. A significant disconnect was identified between what participants are willing/able to pay versus actual course costs, indicating that cost is likely to become a barrier to participation should the course no longer be free.
authors.affiliation: From the *Ratelle STD/HIV Prevention Training Center, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Jamaica Plain, MA; †Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases & Immunology, UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center, Worcester, MA; ‡JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc, Boston, MA; and §Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Zoon
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wangu
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dyer
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Calise
authors.forename: Katherine K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Hsu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010820:Physicians; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States