Issue: New York State (NYS) has the largest number of HIV-infected inmates nationwide with over 10% of the males and 25% of the females estimated to be HIV-infected (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1998). Correctional providers need the most up-to-date clinical education to effectively diagnose, treat, and medically manage HIV-infected incarcerated patients. Because the majority of correctional facilities are concentrated in rural areas, novel approaches need to be developed to educate correctional providers. Response: Telemedicine is traditionally utilized in correctional facilities to reduce costs associated with linking incarcerated patients to outside specialty care. Albany Medical Center’s AIDS Program (AMCAP), in collaboration with the NYS Department of Correctional Services and the New York/ Virgin Islands AIDS Education & Training Center, has used this modality to develop and implement multiple HIV education programs for correctional providers. Of the facilities that returned an AMCAP needs assessment (54%), 62% of respondents requested HIV telemedicine case discussions. Results: AMCAP coordinates monthly case conferencing telemedicine programs for NYSDOCS providers. These programs occur in alternating hubs throughout NYS where clinicians are asked to bring a case for discussion with an HIV specialist. These sessions are continuing medical education accredited and are evaluated through the analysis of questionnaires completed by participants about the program’s effectiveness. Recommendations: Because of the geographical inaccessibility of the majority of NYS correctional facilities, delivering clinical education through telemedicine is an innovative way to reach providers. Although each program incorporates an evaluation tool, further evaluation is needed to determine the effectiveness of telemedicine case conferencing.
Learning Objectives: 1. To discuss the rationale for implementing telemedicine based education to correctional providers. 2. To describe telemedicine as an educational modality. 3. To describe the procedural steps to successfully plan and implement a telemedicine education initiative.
Keywords: Correctional Health Care, HIV/AIDS
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Albany Medical Center’s AIDS Program (AMCAP),the NYS Department of Correctional Services (NYSDOCS) and the New York/ Virgin Islands AIDS Education & Training Center (AETC).
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.