Project Achievements: Emory University School of Medicine

HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau's Special Projects of National Significance [1994 - 1999]:

Emory University School of Medicine

Completed by: Jacqueline Zalumas, Ph.D.
Last Updated: August 1999

Achievement 1: Implemented two models of training in state corrections system.

Key Elements for
Success:

a) Access to correction; prison staff; training calendar.

b) Access to competent HIV clinical trainers/correction issues.

c) Evaluation.

Factors that Limited
Success:

Personnel changes (Georgia Department of Corrections, Health care contractor for staffing and managed care for Georgia Department of Corrections, evaluator, project staff); vast geographic area of state to be covered.

Factors that Ensured
Success:

Evaluation structure (local, national), Georgia Department of Corrections medical/health services administration supported the project. Credibility of project personnel – SEATAC, FNP, MD, RN. Key personnel on project consistent throughout the project. Access to no-cost training facilities statewide. On-going feedback from conference participants.

Achievement 2: Developed curriculum consistent with Georgia Department of Corrections policies and procedures and evolving HIV standards of care requirements.

Key Elements for
Success:

Education and Training Center (SEATAC) support, established consultants, training materials, Key Contacts; HRSA data management (PIF), clinical protocols developed by SEATEC.

Factors that Limited
Success:

a) Rapidly changing standards.

b) Complexity of Georgia Department of Corrections personnel changes.

Factors that Ensured
Success:

Commitment of Georgia Department of Corrections health services to quality HIV care. Access to verbal and written Georgia Department of Corrections policies.

*Achievement 3:* Dissemination activities included: (1) posters, presentations, manuscripts; (2) formal HIV curriculum; (3) consultation with groups planning corrections curricula.
Key Elements for Success: Experienced personnel with scholarly, professional, and clinical expertise.	Factors that Limited Success: Time, limited staffing in Years 1-3.	Factors that Ensured Success: Experienced personnel, ability to travel.

Achievement 4: HIV curriculum developed that includes: (1) range of trainers/expertise; (2) content outline, agenda, handouts, and slides; (3) evaluation of knowledge, attitude, behaviors, intent-to-use, and self-efficacy. Curricula developed for both training models.

Key Elements for
Success:

a) Key components are qualified clinical/professional personnel and clinical training consultants.

b) Structure and organization of project.

Factors that Limited
Success:

Rapidly changing standards and treatments for HIV/AIDS. Teaching strategies currently use direct seminar or preceptor training. Other strategies for distance learning or self-study not used with this project.

Factors that Ensured
Success:

Key components are qualified clinical/project personnel; (2) structure and organization of project. Access to pre-prepared professional teaching materials. Access to internet and scholarly environment of university health science center.

*Achievement 5:* Specific outcomes: formal health care provider learning needs assessments; formal chart review (beginning, middle, end); self-efficacy – "HIV Competency skills"; instrument development; post intervention interview data - mid-point and end of project with key informants and participants.
Key Elements for Success: Project design, Support of Georgia Department of Corrections for access to system. Qualified clinical professional personnel. Access to correctional training staff and patient records.	Factors that Limited Success: Personnel changes (Georgia Department of Corrections, Health care contractor for staffing and managed care for Georgia Department of Corrections, evaluator, project staff); vast geographic area of state to be covered.	Factors that Ensured Success: School of Public Health local evaluator team effort. National evaluator support (TMG). Georgia Department of Corrections support of project. Key personnel on project consistent on project throughout.

Lessons Learned from this Project

Project Index for Achievements and Lessons Learned

Emory University School of Medicine