HIV/AIDS: Therapy & Adherence Course

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

Course Description:
HIV/AIDS: Therapy & Adherence is a 3-hour online continuing education (CE/CEU) course that reviews treatment and adherence issues in populations at high risk for HIV infection.

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 can be 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.

The laws and legal issues that can hinder or support adherence to therapy are reviewed and discussed before examining evidence-based strategies for supporting patient adherence to medical treatment

Learning Objectives:
• Summarize the HIV Care Continuum
• Describe an evidence-based reminder system effective for adolescents with HIV
• List four factors that affect adherence with antiretroviral treatment
• Specify two healthcare issues for women who have HIV
• Name two benefits of the Affordable Care Act for persons with HIV
• Describe three strategies to increase adherence to antiretroviral treatment in persons with HIV.