599. Expanding HIV Training in Internal Medicine Residency Program: A Prospect to Meet the HIV Workforce Demand

Abstract

Background. Advances in HIV treatment changed the landscape of the epidemic from a fatal to a chronic disease. The number of patients living with HIV is expected to increase as they are living longer. Compared with the general population, older HIVinfected patients suffer additional comorbidities and often take several medications, leading to polypharmacy and drug interactions. Besides that the HIV population is aging, more patients know their status or want to access pre-exposure prophylaxis for prevention. Furthermore, the HIV workforce is aging and retiring without a new generation of providers to replace them. There is a fundamental concern about the readiness of future physicians to care for the HIV population. In response to this anticipated workforce shortage, an HIV Training Track was established at Yale Primary Care Residency Program in 2012. Methods. Two to three residents were recruited into the HIV training track each year. Residents have their continuity practice in the institution's HIV Clinic and rotate on the inpatient HIV Firm each year. Otherwise, residents participate in all of the core rotation and curricular activities of the Primary Care Residency. The authors will (i) display the process of building the infrastructure of the HIV training program, (ii) describe the curriculum, and (iii) share the 5 years experiences and outcomes. Results. The program enrolled a cohort of 11 residents between 2012 and 2017. Residents managed a panel of 30-40 HIV-patients with diverse demographics. A medical record review revealed high performance measures in HIV and non-HIV conditions. 100% of eligible patients were on ART, 92% of patients were retained in care and 92% of those on ART had HIV viral suppression. In addition, all residents completed an HIV knowledge assessment test and showed 26% increase in their score at 1 year. There was 100% retention of residents and faculty. Residents and patients demonstrated high satisfaction with the program. Conclusion. A novel HIV training track is feasible and can be successfully implemented. Expanding HIV-specific curricula within primary care residency program can build workforce of providers to meaningfully care for the aging HIV population.