247518 Relationships between HIV disease knowledge, opinions, ongoing training, and experience; and availability of services at addiction treatment programs

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Steven Kritz, MD , Division of Medical Services, Research and Information Technology, Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation, Brooklyn, NY
Melissa Lin, MS , Division of Medical Services, Research and Information Technology, Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation, Brooklyn, NY
Roberto Zavala, MD , Division of Medical Services, Research and Information Technology, Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation, Brooklyn, NY
Lawrence S. Brown, MD, MPH, FASAM , Division of Medical Services, Research and Information Technology, Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation, Brooklyn, NY
  
Background: In HIV care, evidence exists of relationships between clinical outcome and provider knowledge and experience. However, relationships between provider characteristics and availability of infection-related services have not been reported. We investigated these relationships among providers and associations with availability of HIV counseling and testing services within addiction treatment programs.

Methods: In a cross-sectional, descriptive, multisite structured survey study sponsored by the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network, we analyzed responses from 269 addiction program administrators and 1716 clinicians concerning clinicians' HIV infection-related knowledge, opinions, training, and experience. The knowledge component contained 20 closed-end questions, while clinician and administrator opinions were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Ongoing provider training and experience information was obtained from the administrator survey.

Results: For 366 medical clinicians, mean percent of correct responses to HIV knowledge questions was 65%. Among 1350 non-medical clinicians, mean percent of correct responses to HIV knowledge questions was 59%. For 772 expert and 944 non-expert clinicians: 64% and 57%, respectively. For 251 medical expert and 115 medical non-expert clinicians: 68% and 60%, respectively. Mean percent correct responses (knowledge) was significantly associated with opinions of clinicians, and HIV testing availability, but not counseling availability. HIV counseling and testing availability was associated with ongoing staff training and experience, and the program administrators' (but not clinicians') opinion regarding necessity of full abstinence to successful HIV-related interventions.

Conclusions: This study provided empirical support for relationships between knowledge, opinions, ongoing training, and experience; and availability of HIV-related services at addiction treatment programs.

Learning Areas:
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Provision of health care to the public
Public health administration or related administration

Learning Objectives:
Assess the HIV disease knowledge base for various clinician classifications at substance abuse treatment programs Describe the association between clinician HIV disease knowledge, opinions, ongoing training, and experience; and availability of HIV-related health services at substance abuse treatment programs

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Treatment System

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was the National Project Manager for the study that generated this presentation, and I work at a substance abuse program that provides the services covered.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Across the Spectrum of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use
See more of: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs