OVERVIEW

HIV/AIDS: Adherence Issues Course is organized by Professional Development Resources (PDR), Inc.

Course Description:
HIV/AIDS: Adherence Issues is a 1-hour online continuing education (CE/CEU) course that discusses adherence issues in populations at high risk for HIV infection.

HIV and AIDS are medical terms that are linked together due to the progressive nature of HIV, with the end result of untreated (or undertreated) HIV becoming AIDS. The virus affects people of all ages, from children born to mothers with HIV, to adolescents, to adults, and elders. People who live with HIV can live almost normal lifespans and have little risk of transmitting the disease if they use antiretroviral therapy appropriately under medical care. However, only 55% of HIV-infected people follow their antiretroviral regimen well enough to achieve viral suppression.

In this course we review the HIV Care Continuum and antiretroviral therapy treatment. We then focus on specific groups of people (i.e., adolescents, illicit drug users, pregnant women) who are infected with HIV, so that we may discuss common difficulties in adhering to treatment. We will also consider issues associated with transitioning patient care to multidisciplinary practices or community care. Evidence-based strategies for supporting patient adherence to medical treatment are provided at the end of each section.

The course finishes with a reminder of the laws passed to combat the stigma of HIV/AIDS to ensure people with HIV/AIDS receive equal medical treatment.

Learning Objectives:
• Describe the HIV Care Continuum
• List the persons who should be tested for HIV
• Identify an evidence-based strategy for adolescents with HIV
• List two benefits of the Affordable Care Act for people with HIV