Southern Africa, a region with high HIV prevalence and limited resources, is faced with a crisis of limited medical expertise in the management of HIV/AIDS. Access to more advanced treatment modalities is increasing, even in resource poor regions. To rollout these treatment advances, the medical community requires specific training.
In November 2009, RHRU hosted its 25th clinical HIV Management course. This 10 day, internationally recognised course aims to provide doctors within the Sub-Saharan African region with the necessary skills to clinically manage HIV patients in their communities. One of the principal aims of this program is to provide regions where no teaching facilities are available with the contents of the course in a user-friendly format and to empower participants with know-how and tools to train their colleagues.
The principal objectives of this course are:
- to empower previously under trained clinicians from resource poor settings to treat patients with HIV/AIDS
- to encourage postgraduate training in the field of HIV management
- to improve the standards of medical practice and patient care in rural and urban communities outside the larger training centers.
The course is aimed primarily at doctors who wish to improve their clinical skills and competence in the diagnosis and management of HIV/AIDS.
Curriculum
The following aspects of HIV medicine and related infections will be covered:
- History and regional and international epidemiology of HIV/AIDS
- Demographic impact of HIV/AIDS and the complications of HIV
- Models of HIV testing
- Lab testing for HIV diagnosis, monitoring, toxicity.
- Mechanisms of transmission and implications for intervention.
- Concepts of prevention including behavior modification and treatment strategies for prevention - syndromic management of STD's, contraception, PEP, MTCT and HAART treatment.
- Pathogenesis and natural history of untreated HIV disease. Clinical correlates of staging and dynamics disease progression in adult and paediatric care.
- HAART therapy in adult and paediatric HIV: guidelines on treatment initiation, treatment monitoring and outcome. Emphasis will be placed on treatment challenges such as adherence, drug interactions, and treatment complications such as adverse effects, resistance and IRIS. Practical resource advice and potential cost limiting regimens will be discussed.
- TB epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and infection control
- Aspects of strategic health delivery. Current experiences of the South African department of health will be included to address infrastructure, funding allocation and training requirements. An emphasis will be placed on the development of a continuum of and decentralisation of care.
- Aspects of the pathogenesis and prevention of vertical transmission including practical aspects of antiretroviral therapy
- Fertility issues, maternal health and HIV
- Opportunistic infections diagnosis and treatment
- New approaches to HIV management
Participants are trained by experts in their field drawn from RHRU’s pool of HIV experts as well as physicians from the Johannesburg surrounds. The course curriculum has changed to meet the developing needs of clinicians in HIV and over the last six years, trainers have been encouraged to move from the traditional didactic approach to a more interactive, case based and practical approach. Since 2005, the course has included field trips to key HIV facilities in Johannesburg and recently emphasizes the clinician’s role in improving the quality of HIV services by sharing RHRU’s experiences of health systems strengthening.
Course co-ordination
Dates
The course is held four times per year in Johannesburg. Due to its popularity, applicants are advised to apply at least four months before the commencing date of the course they wish to attend.
Course dates and application deadlines for 2011 are:
| 4-15 July 2011 |
Closing Date: 29 May 2011 |
| 7-18 November 2011 |
Closing Date: 30 September 2011 |
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Timetable
The course will be full time Monday to Friday for two weeks. Where possible, course facilitators will be available for individual discussions, and participants will be encouraged to make appointments with people of direct relevance to their area of interest.
Attendance of all lectures is compulsory. Training will commence on average 08h00 every morning and finish on average at 16h00 with the exception of each Friday when the course ends at 13h00. A full programme will be provided on successful application.
Fees
Course fees are R6,000 for clinicians within South Africa or $USD750 if you are attending the course from elsewhere in the region. All fees are payable in advance. An invoice for the full amount will be issued with confirmation of your place on the course.
The course fee includes all course materials which you will receive on arrival, lecturers and facilitators, certificate, lunch and other refreshments throughout the day, shuttle service between the designated hotel and training venue and transport to and from practical visits to other sites.
PLEASE DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT UNTIL YOUR PLACE ON THE COURSE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED IN WRITING AND AN INVOICE HAS BEEN ISSUED.
Bursaries
A limited number of bursaries are available for applicants in resource poor settings.
A partial bursary covers the course fee as outlined above. To apply for a partial bursary, complete the application form and include a letter of motivation.
A small number of full bursaries are available. In addition to course fees, this also covers accommodation costs. Full bursaries are available only to clinicians working in resource poor settings in South Africa. To apply for a full bursary, complete the application form and include a letter of motivation from your line manager indicating clearly that you are applying for a full bursary.
Apply
For an application form please email: training@wrhi.ac.za . For more information contact Mercy Mopedi on +27 (0)11 358 5312, or email mmopedi@wrhi.ac.za
The HIV Management course and Diploma in HIV Management
The course also meets the specifications of the curriculum and the examination regulations for the Diploma in HIV Management being offered by the Colleges of Medicine, South Africa. (To qualify for the exam the participant requires 1000 points, 250 of which needs to come from formal training. Our course qualifies for the full 250 points).
Participation in the course provides an excellent foundation for the Colleges diploma in HIV Management. With a general average pass rate of the 50%, the diploma is a challenging one. However, close to 80% of alumni who reported to have written the exam, passed. This is testimony to the quality of the course in terms of appropriateness, relevance and the high standards of materials and facilitators.
Please note that the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa is an independent post-graduate examination board, widely accepted throughout the Southern African region.
For information about the Diploma exam visit the Colleges of Medicine South Africa website on www.collegemedsa.ac.za