Academic detailing as a strategy to implement a HIV guideline in primary health care

Article type
Authors
Bones AA1, Cazella SC2, Stein AT2
1Health Department, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre
2Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre
Abstract
Background: There are several HIV guidelines, based on the age group and clinical condition of the patient. After the START study, the primary health care approach to HIV care is a new challenge, especially for those patients who are asymptomatic and have a CD4 count higher than 350, and in settings where there is a high incidence rate of HIV. There is a need to identify new strategies.

Objectives: To identify the importance of implementing an academic detailing (AD) strategy for the clinical application of an HIV guideline in primary care.

Methods: This study is based on an extensive literature review of the use of AD for HIV programmes in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). We describe the steps used to deliver an HIV programme.

Results: There are seven steps in the programme: 1) identification of the difficulties in adherence to the protocol using a questionnaire; 2) elaboration of a manual for rapid consultation on the main evidence and development of the object of learning based on the evidence related to the guideline; 3) training the facilitators responsible for educational outreach; 4) defining the goal in order to begin anti-retroviral therapy as soon as possible in patients who have a CD4 count of 350 or more; 5) prescriber visiting for AD once a month for three months; 6) virtual assistance if there is any doubt and 7) follow-up of the results.

Conclusions: In South America, there are few publications on AD but it is regarded as a very low cost strategy for implementation of a guideline. This could overcome gaps in strategies for the implementation of new guidelines for HIV in primary health care.

Patient or healthcare consumer involvement: This study has been approved by the Ethical Committee of the University: a representative of patients is one of the members of this committee.