Enhancing routine hiv testing in primary care with a continuing education intervention

Abstract

Since 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended routine HIV screening in primary care settings for people ages 13 to 64, regardless of individual risk factors. However, an extensive body of research has identified several barriers to primary care providers’ (PCPs) adherence to the CDC recommendations. Employing a pre–postintervention design, this study provided an assessment of barriers among 11 PCPs and implemented an evidence-based continuing education program adapted to the specific individual barriers they identified. The study found that PCPs were initially providing HIV testing using risk-based criteria but that the continuing education program increased intentions to perform routine HIV testing (e.g., during annual well-ness examinations and new patient visits). Results of the study inform individual quality improvement projects and legislative or policy actions to increase HIV screening in sites providing primary care.