HIV Physician Training Course at CMCH, Vellore

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ANNOUNCEMENT: HIV/AIDS TRAINING COURSE FOR HOSPITAL BASED PHYSICIANS

Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore

Physician training is needed to address clinical care needs in the context of

the emerging HIV epidemic. Current training does not address secondary hospital

physicians in the voluntary sector who are important providers of HIV care.

Christian Medical College and Hospital is starting a one year course in HIV care

for hospital based physicians working in the voluntary sector to address this

need.

A. Purpose: (i) To enable physicians to improve their knowledge and skills in

HIV care; (ii) enable the development of accessible and quality HIV clinical

services in the hospitals where these physicians are working.

B. Eligibility for course: (i) MBBS qualification; (ii) employed in a secondary

hospital (small or medium size hospital or clinic) in the voluntary sector;

(iii) involved in HIV care activities of the hospital; (iv) working in Tamil

Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh or Karnataka; (v) commitment to develop and

implement a clinical care project in their hospital and (vi) administrative

support from the hospital for undertaking the course and implementing the

project.

C. Participants: A total of 25 participating doctors and hospitals will be

selected for the program.

D. Training course:

Three Contact courses at CMCH(total 1 month duration); Distance learning course

(4 months) and Project implementation (6 months).

During the contact courses the participants will be oriented to distance

learning, learn project management skills and develop their project. They will

gain practical exposure to in-patient, out-patient and emergency care of HIV

infection; setting up an HIV clinic, counseling and patient education services,

infection control and exposure reporting system, basic laboratory facilities and

blood banking.

The distance learning course consists of 16 modules. The materials include:

textbooks, distance learning materials, projects, excercises and

self-assessments. During the distance learning course faculty will maintain

continuous contact with the course participants through e-mail.

During the project phase the participants will implement a clinical care project

consisting of: setting up of an HIV team, a clinical care set up for in-patient,

out-patient and emergency care, counseling services and an infection control

system. The project may also include development of a hospital HIV policy ,

staff, general practitioner and patient education, adequate laboratory

facilities and networking with community organisations and positive people's

groups involved in HIV care and prevention.

E. Outcomes: At the end of the course the hospitals would have a running HIV

clinical care program with trained doctors.

F. Course faculty: Twelve course faculty from CMCH, Vellore (Medicine, Surgery,

O & G, Paediatrics, Community Medicine, Psychiatry, Clinical Virology,

Microbiology, Clinical Pathology, Counselling and Social Work) and external

experts.

G. Dates: Applications are due by August 15, 2002 and Course to start on

December 1, 2002

H. Course Fees: There are no course fees. Accomodation at CMCH will be

provided at nominal rates. The program provides financial support to help the

participating hospital set up clinical care services.

F. For course prospectus and application forms to write to: Anand Zachariah,

Course Organiser, HIV/AIDS Training Program for Hospital Based Physicians,

Associate Professor, Medicine Unit 1 and Infectious Disease, Christian Medical

College and Hospital, Vellore-632004

Ph. (0416) 222102 Ext. 2730/2748; E-mail: zachariah@...;

FAX-(0416) 232035, 232103

(The Program is being undertaken in collaboration with Population Council as

part of the HIV/STI Prevention and Care Research Program, India)

" Dr.Anand Zachariah "

e-MAIL:<zachariah@...>

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