Document 2153
 DOCN  M94A2153
 TI    The Canadian HIV primary care mentorship project.
 DT    9412
 AU    Klein A; Rachlis A; Peter A; Hettiarachchi D; Berger P; Lavery J; Mount
       Sinai Hosp., Toronto, Canada.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):369 (abstract no. PD0084). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370422
 AB    BACKGROUND: The complexity of treating persons living with HIV/AIDS
       (PHAs) coupled with rapid advancements in treatment have caused many
       primary care physicians to feel unqualified to provide optimal care for
       their HIV+ patients. In an attempt to address this problem, in June
       1992, the HIV Project Centre in Ontario, Canada established a provincial
       mentor program which is an informal information exchange between
       experienced physicians, mentors, and those new to the care of PHAs,
       novices. Novice physicians taking part in the program are linked with
       mentors in their own region. As of February, 1994, 153 novices were
       paired with 32 mentors. Due to the success of this program and the
       positive results of an interim evaluation, the feasibility of a national
       mentor program is being evaluated. DESCRIPTION: Primary care physicians
       with experience in HIV/AIDS, from various provinces, were assembled to
       form a steering committee. Given the geographical and cultural diversity
       of a country such as Canada, a national mentor program will have to be
       tailored to suit the separate regions. As well, a national program must
       take into account various regionally established physician education and
       support initiatives. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: The lack of primary care
       physicians qualified to treat persons living with HIV/AIDS is common to
       most regions. A method to select and train mentor physicians has been
       established. The program has been tailored to accommodate the needs of
       the various geographic regions. As well, a mechanism for sharing
       expertise and information across provincial boundaries is being
       developed. The involvement of the HIV community has been extremely
       important in defining needs and will eventually determine the efficacy
       of the program. The final recommendations of the feasibility study and
       the model for a national program will be presented.
 DE    Canada  *Education, Medical, Continuing  Human  HIV Infections/*THERAPY
       *Mentors  Physicians, Family/*EDUCATION  MEETING ABSTRACT

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