Proficiency of internal medicine residents in outpatient care of patients with HIV infection.

Abstract

To determine internal medicine residents' knowledge of HIV care, the authors conducted a survey of residents from four internal medicine programs in the San Francisco Bay area. On a knowledge test, the mean score was 42.4/55, 77% correct. The residents performed relatively worse on questions regarding didanosine and zalcitabine, tuberculosis prophylaxis, and risk of cervical neoplasia in HIV-infected women. Predictors of greater knowledge were specific residency program, higher postgraduate year, primary care residency track, and more extensive HIV experience. Primary care internal medicine residencies and programs with more exposure to HIV patients are most effective in producing knowledgeable residents.