Allerton M, Wolfe E, Wibbelsman C, McNalty K, Gordon N, Fuller J, Casal T; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1991 Jun 16-21; 7: 36 (abstract no. M.D.57).
Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program (KPMCP), Northern California Region, Oakland, CA. USA
OBJECTIVE: To increase the number of physicians in a large group practice (n=3000) willing and able to provide primary medical care for HIV infected patients and their families in Northern California KPMCP, a Health Maintenance Organization with 2.4 million members (estimated HIV sero-prevelence of 0.5%) and to make HIV related information available to an additional 5000 KPMCP physicians practicing nationally. METHODS: Live bi-monthly broadcasts to 22 sites in the Northern California Region of KPMCP were presented from July 1989 through December 1990 for a total of 10 teleconferences to date. These were used to provide education on the diagnosis and primary management of HIV infection and to allow updates or changes in care and treatment to be disseminated to the physician group in a timely and efficient manner. Video tapes are available of each segment and distributed for use by all 8000 KPMC physicians practicing across the nation. A needs assessment was initially conducted and ongoing surveys are collected to decide the main content of each broadcast. The content is planned well in advance of each session and the "state of the art" of a specific topic is presented through expert panel discussions. Each session has an "Update" section developed immediately prior to the broadcast for "up to the minute" accuracy. The conclusion of each broadcast consists of a phone-in segment that enables physicians at all 22 receiving sites to interact with the panelists. RESULTS: Surveys indicate 25-50% of primary care physicians participate in the program. Ongoing quantitative evaluations indicate significant changes in physician comfort with, willingness to treat, and knowledge of HIV infection. Physicians report feeling better prepared to treat HIV patients (70.3%-92.2% depending on session content.) The number of physicians willing to treat patients has increased 20%. CONCLUSIONS: Teleconferencing is an effective, efficient way reach large numbers of physicians practicing in widely dispersed sites. Providing physicians with basic content, frequent updates, and and an opportunity to interact with an expert can achieve the objectives of this program.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- California
- Data Collection
- Education, Medical
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Physicians
- Physicians, Family
- Primary Health Care
- therapy
Other ID:
UI: 102182168
From Meeting Abstracts