Overview

Integrated HIV Prevention Treatment, Care, and Support Training for Healthcare Workers: Overview

The MoHCC and key partners have developed an integrated, comprehensive HIV prevention, treatment, care and support package primarily targeting in-service health care workers at primary and secondary levels. This package puts emphasis on knowledge and skills building in order to deliver quality holistic services. It includes HIV testing services (HTS), nutrition, chronic HIV care with antiretroviral therapy (ART), syndromic management of opportunistic infections (OIs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), TB/HIV co-management, and integrated management of pregnancy and childbirth (IMPAC). To cement practical skills, the curriculum includes skills building sessions with Expert Patient Trainers (EPTs) and case studies of real cases. EPTs are people living with HIV, with personal experience of chronic HIV care and ART, and are willing to participate in the trainings to enhance the quality of care provided in our health facilities.

The main purpose of this training is to contribute to universal access and to support decentralization of HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and support. The content of the training was developed to suit our specific local circumstances in Zimbabwe. It was developed based on evidence-based normative guidelines and a thorough review of field experience with HIV and AIDS service provision in resource-limited settings. This curriculum is based on the latest research and international guidance from WHO, Zimbabwe national guidelines and strategies, as well as widespread consultations with key in-country stakeholders in HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services.

This tablet is on loan and to be used in conjunction with the workbook provided. After you have completed the course, the tablet will be returned. The workbook is yours to keep. Although this training is primarily self-study, it’s expected that you will attend face-to-face sessions at the beginning and end of the training, and engage in the WhatsApp discussion group.

Course Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Provide HIV Counselling and facilitate HIV Testing for clients, spouses, children and members of the community.
• Identify, diagnose and manage opportunistic infections common in people living with HIV.
• Initiate clients on ART using the National Guidelines.
• Recognise and manage drug side effects.
• Diagnose and manage patients failing 1st line ART.
• Manage different case scenarios through skills building stations with the Expert Patient Trainers.
• Link clients to all services.

Course Materials and Structure

All of the learning materials are loaded on this tablet, so you won’t need an internet connection. You’ll also be provided with a hard copy workbook to fill in answers and take notes.

Most resources are included on the tablet. These national documents should be accessible at your worksite as well.

To help you keep up with the course and materials, the self-study tips below have strategies for learning successfully in a self-study environment.

You will need about 4-7 hours to complete all of the learning activities for recommended sessions each week. You’ll be given a course pre-test and post-test to assess your learning at the initial and final face-to-face meetings.

How to Use

The main page shows buttons listing session topics. On each session page, there are Learning Activities for you to complete.

Types of learning activities are as follows:

The case studies and knowledge check activities use a few different types of questions. You will see multiple choice, true/false, matching, sequencing, and questions that ask you to write out responses in your workbook. All of the questions have the correct answers in the feedback on the tablet. After you select your answer, click on the “feedback” button to find out whether your answers are correct and to read important additional information. If you want to change your answer choice, you can click on the “clear” button and redo your answer.

Self-Study Tips

Learning at your own at your own pace may be a new experience. Self-study requires a different set of skills and techniques than learning in a classroom environment. For some people, learning at their own pace may be challenging at first. However, self-paced e-learning has many advantages, including allowing you to learn whenever and wherever is convenient.

We have compiled some tips to help you in the e-learning portion of this course.

Motivation

Understand what is expected of you and commit to keeping up with going through the content.

Take responsibility for your own learning. It is up to you to succeed! Some of the questions ask you to write down answers in your workbook and then tap a button to compare your answer to an expert’s. Although it might be tempting to skip writing in your workbook, taking the time to write down your answer will help you practice concepts and help you learn more deeply. This is also true for the self-reflection questions.

Time

A typical e-learning course takes more time than an in-person class.

Plan to spend at least two to three hours per session going through that session's tablet learning activities. It can be overwhelming and difficult to find time if you wait until the last week to go through all the activities.

One way to manage your time is to set aside specific blocks of time to work. Ask your family to respect the times that you are "in class."

Be sure to take breaks if you need to. This will help maintain your concentration. Stretch. Eat.

Workspace

Designate a space to study. Is it comfortable (but not so comfortable that you fall asleep)? Is it quiet? Can you concentrate?

Technology

Get familiar and comfortable using your tablet. Tap on resource links and navigate forward and back through content. Remember to keep the tablet charged.

Contact information

Dr Albert Mulingwa MBChB(ZIM) QMS (ZIM) HSM (JPN)
National Coordinator - Training, Clinical Attachments and Mentorship Programs
AIDS and TB Unit
Ministry of Health and Child Care Zimbabwe | Head Office
P.O. Box CY1122 Causeway Harare
+263-4-2933495 +263-782-708190
mulingwa.albert@gmail.com

Acknowledgments

This training package was developed in collaboration by the Ministry of Health and Child Care and by the University of Washington Global Health eLearning Program. Many of the photos are by Macpherson Photographers.