Designated Medical Practitioners Training Project

In response to gaps in appropriate pre-/post test counselling and referral support identified by newcomer PHAs during the immigration medical examination process, CAAT worked with Dr. Darrell Tan and Dr. Roy Male to develop a training module for Designated Medical Practitioners (DMP), the physicians who perform all the HIV testing for all newcomer applicants to Canada. We held our first DMP training in May 2010 and then followed up by sending out updated community referral materials to them to facilitate proper referral. In 2011, we continued to work with Dr. Tan and his student and launched a follow up national survey to explore the knowledge and attitude of DMP on HIV related issues. The study generated useful insight to inform future training initiatives across the country. The findings will be presented at our AGM this year and at the upcoming OHTN research conference.