Subject(s)
Global Health/legislation & jurisprudence , Health Policy , Health Services Accessibility/legislation & jurisprudence , Sustainable Development/legislation & jurisprudence , Female , Global Health/economics , Global Health/history , Health Equity/standards , Health Equity/trends , Health Services Accessibility/economics , Health Services Accessibility/organization & administration , History, 21st Century , Humans , Legal Services/methods , Life Expectancy/trends , Male , Social Control, Formal/methods , Transgender Persons/legislation & jurisprudenceABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study measured 1. medical office immunization rates and 2. health care personnel competency in managing vaccine practices before and after evidence-based immunization education was provided. METHOD: This descriptive study compared 32 family medicine and pediatric offices and 178 medical assistants, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians in knowledge-based testing pre-education, post-education, and 12-months post-education. Immunization rates were assessed before and 18-months post-education. RESULTS: Immunization rates increased 10.3% - 18months post-education; knowledge increased 7.8% - 12months post-education. Family medicine offices, licensed practical nurses, and medical assistants showed significant knowledge deficits before and 12-months post-education. All demographic groups scored less in storage/handling 12-months post-education. CONCLUSION: This study is one of the first studies to identify competency challenges in effective immunization delivery among medical assistants, licensed practical nurses, and family medicine offices. Formal and continuous education in immunization administration and storage/handling is recommended among these select groups.
Subject(s)
Health Personnel , Immunization/statistics & numerical data , Inservice Training/organization & administration , HumansSubject(s)
Anti-HIV Agents/administration & dosage , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Patient Selection/ethics , Policy Making , Anti-HIV Agents/adverse effects , Anti-HIV Agents/economics , Clinical Trials as Topic , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Decision Making , Female , Health Care Costs , Health Policy , Humans , Male , Quality of Health Care , Risk , Sex Work , Sexual Behavior , Substance-Related DisordersABSTRACT
There are currently several ongoing or planned trials evaluating the efficacy of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a preventative approach to reducing the transmission of HIV. PrEP may prove ineffective, demonstrate partial efficacy, or show high efficacy and have the potential to reduce HIV infection in a significant way. However, in addition to the trial results, it is important that issues related to delivery, implementation and further research are also discussed. As a part of the ongoing discussion, in June 2009, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation sponsored a Planning for PrEP conference with stakeholders to review expected trial results, outline responsible educational approaches, and develop potential delivery and implementation strategies. The conference reinforced the need for continued and sustained dialogue to identify where PrEP implementation may fit best within an integrated HIV prevention package. This paper identifies the key action points that emerged from the Planning for PrEP meeting.
