Outcomes of multimodal training for healthcare professionals at an AIDS education and training center.

There is an ongoing need for continuing professional education (CPE) in the rapidly changing field of HIV care, but the best instructional methods remain a subject of debate. This study assessed the effects of training at an AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC) over an 18-month period. Health care professionals (HCP) who attended more than one training event showed small but significant improvements over time in HIV-related clinical practice behaviors. The type of training also predicted self-reported practice behavior, with interactive trainings and individual consultations associated with greater change, and intensive clinical training activities associated with a faster rate of change but not better scores on the self-reported behavior measure. Participants also reported high levels of satisfaction, knowledge improvement, and intention to change after each training event; however, these results were unrelated to whether trainees actually reported improved practice behavior.