UCSF

Abstract

Background

Despite dramatic advances in the care of people with HIV (PWH), the shortage of HIV providers is worsening. An approach to this workforce shortage has been integration of robust HIV training into residency. We created a national survey to describe curricula and outcomes of formal HIV training pathways and how this may impact the HIV workforce shortage.

Methods

We designed a cross-sectional study of Internal Medicine (IM) and Family Medicine (FM) Residency HIV pathways in the United States. We identified programs via literature review, internet search, and snowball sampling. A draft survey was piloted with two pathway directors, and in January 2019, the final survey was sent via email to all pathway directors. This survey included 33-items, predominantly quantitative, and focused on program organization, curricular content, graduate outcomes, and challenges. We used descriptive statistics to summarize numeric responses.

Results

Twenty-five residency programs with dedicated HIV pathways were identified; 11 IM and 15 FM. The majority of the programs are in the West and Northeast United States. Twenty-four (96%) of programs have completed the survey. Since the first program was established in 2006, 228 residents have graduated from HIV pathways in the United States (151 IM, 77 FM). Programs have varying goals, application procedures, clinical requirements, didactic structures, graduation requirements, and assessments of competency. Of graduates, 108 (47%) have American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM) certification. Ninety-two (42%) of graduates are reported as currently providing primary care to ≥ 20 PWH (the majority in the West and Northeast United States). The most commonly cited reported barrier to graduates finding jobs caring for PWH are lack of job opportunities in their geographic area.

Conclusion

HIV pathways in IM and FM programs are heterogenous in their structure and curricula. Less than 50% of pathway graduates remain in the HIV provider workforce, and the majority of those work in the West and Northeast United States. The impact of these programs might be enhanced by interventions to increase graduate retention in this workforce and to launch pathways in the areas of greatest need, such as the Southern United States.

Disclosures

All authors: No reported disclosures.