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Background: Pediatric providers care for adolescents, a population disproportionately affected by STDs. CDC estimates that youth ages 15-24 years comprise over one quarter of the sexually active population, but account for half of the 20 million new STDs each year in the U.S. Evidence-based guidelines are widely available, but recognized utilization gaps, such as low chlamydia screening rates exist. Community pediatricians should be a priority audience for sexual health training because most adolescents who access health care visit a primary care office.
Methods: The New York City (NYC) STD/HIV Prevention Training Center (PTC) is a CDC-funded regional training center that provides STD/HIV education. To prioritize this training audience, NYC PTC partnered with NYS American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) chapter 1 to offer two one-day trainings in NYS in May 2016 promoted as AAP trainings. Based on AAP-reported sexual health training needs, training was developed that included topics such as routinizing confidential adolescent STD screening, STD management updates, increasing HPV immunization rates, PrEP, syphilis, and sexual health care for LGBTQ-youth. AAP developed content and provided pediatrician speakers while NYC PTC supported content development, coordinated registration, and provided CME/CNE credits.
Results: Significant training interest prompted increasing the 60 attendees cap to 120 attendees within two weeks of registration. Ninety-nine total participants (48 MDs, 32 NPs, 14 RNs, 2 LPNs, 2 PAs and 1 medical student) attended trainings held in May 2016. Attendees strongly agreed or agreed (99%; 89/90) that the symposium addressed a need in their knowledge/skills. The majority of attendees strongly agreed that they would be able to apply knowledge/skills gained to their practice (64%; 58/90) and develop strategies/provide interventions (63%; 57/90).
Conclusions: Working with a national professional medical organization state chapter is an effective strategy to engage a priority provider audience for sexual health training and has applications for other locales.