Identifying Risk for HIV and Implementation of PrEP Amongst Primary Care Providers
View/ Open
Abstract
The purpose of this project was to improve primary care provider knowledge, attitude and behaviors related to the current HIV-screening and PrEP implementation guidelines. Surveys were conducted among five primary care providers at a Midwest VA Healthcare System before and after an HIV and PrEP-related education. The surveys were anonymous, and participation was voluntary. Each participant received a survey by pen and paper to self-assess their HIV-screening and PrEP prescribing intention, comfort-level with HIV prevention practices, and knowledge before and after the presentation by using Likert scales, true/false, and correct answer recall questions.
Of the eligible 11 providers in attendance of the presentation, six of the 11 (54.5%) participated in the surveys. One participant was excluded as he/she did not submit his/her completed presurvey, which rendered the survey incomplete for data analysis. The included participants (n=5) worked in General/Primary Care, were either a MD (2 of 5) or NP (3 of 5), who have practiced as their current clinical title for less than 5 years to greater than 25 years.
Responses were measured based on the FREQ procedure as the sample size was small. Following the intervention, there was no overall increase in intent to follow the current CDC HIV screening guidelines however intention prior to the intervention was already high. Following education, the providers’ ability to identify those at risk for HIV increased by 60% (3 of 5), and comfort-level in identifying those at risk for HIV whom are PrEP eligible increased by 80% (4 of 5). Of these providers, there was an 80% (4 of 5) increase in provider self-rated comfort-level in discussing PrEP with high risk patients post-education. Each provider rated their intention to prescribe PrEP after the intervention on a Likert scale, as “Probably” or “Very Probable,” which was a 60% (3 of 5) provider improvement.
Overall, responses indicated an improvement of provider knowledge, attitudes, and behavior after receiving HIV screening and PrEP education. Findings of this project are comparable with previous research, this project, however, did not evaluate actual provider change in practice following education.