Provider STD Training with an Adolescent Focus: The Region II Prevention Training Center Experience, 2004-present

Background:
The Region II STD/HIV Prevention Training Center (PTC) is part of the National Network of STD/HIV Prevention Training Centers and has the mission to address the STD/HIV educational needs of clinicians. Providers have requested the PTC provide training regarding adolescent sexual health. In 2004, the PTC collaborated with Columbia University to expand its clinical STD/HIV training to address adolescent-specific issues, including: effective communication; risk assessment screening and prevention strategies. This two day course includes a mock clinic where peer educators act as patients for participants to role-play.

Objective:
To determine whether the Region II PTC adolescent-specific course addresses a provider-identified educational gap regarding adolescent sexual health issues.

Method:
The following were collected and analyzed: registration data for persons attending adolescent courses January 2004 – January 2007 to examine the professional background of course attendees; and student evaluation course data regarding organization, didactic and skills-building presentations.

Result:
On a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent), the mean rating for didactic presentations was 4.75 (range, 3-5; n=98); course organization, 4.95 (range, 4-5; n=85), and skills-building presentations, 4.86 (range, 2-5; n=94). The number of course participants increased from 19 to 35/course from January 2004 to January 2007. Comparing courses held in the first two years to those in the latter two years, the proportion of course participants who were nurse practitioners (NPs) increased by 10%

Conclusion:
High ratings and an increased attendance rate suggest both interest and high provider satisfaction. Increased clinical provider attendance suggests that providers consider the content and format to be of value. However, improved marketing is an alternative explanation for our findings.

Implications:
As the Region II PTC is the only PTC to offer such a course, there is likely a need for adolescent-focused training in other regions.