COURSE DESCRIPTION

This conference is intended for physicians, pharmacists, dentists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, and other health care professionals who are likely to encounter HIV patients with varying stages of disease in an effort to get patients enrolled into care earlier and to maximize prevention opportunities. The conference will provide the health care professionals the information they need to meet the existing and emerging challenges of diagnosing and treating today's HIV patients. Experts will present the latest information on diagnosing and treating persons with HIV in the primary care setting and answer questions from attendees. Workshops will present emerging strategies for dealing with specific problems in HIV care today and offer the opportunity for experienced clinicians to debate specific approaches to management and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

Objectives

At the conclusion of this conference, participants should be able to:

• Discuss the current approach to antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection.
• Describe the way psychiatric disorders promote the HIV epidemic and are barriers to effective treatment, and discuss strategies for treatment.
• Identify when to initiate HIV antiretroviral therapy based of US DHHS and NYSDOH Guidelines.

Statement of Need

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there are approximately 36 million people HIV infected in the world. CDC's analysis reveals that there are an estimated 1,400,000 adults and adolescents living with HIV infection in the United States. Approximately one in five people living with HIV or 21 % are unaware of their infection. Experts estimate that approximately 750,000 people in the United States infected with HIV use the clinical care delivery system and receive regular HIV care through their primary care clinician.

Since the introduction of HAART in 1996, HIV disease has been transformed from a progressive and fatal condition to a chronic, manageable and treatable disease.

With advances in the treatment modalities, more Americans infected with HIV are living an improved quality of life. However, with longer survival come long-term side effects of medications, increased medication management, greater need to maintain long-term adherence, and continued need for prevention. The growing number of people living with HIV in the United States points to an increased need for HIV testing, treatment, and prevention services to slow the epidemic.

The care of HIV patients will be more and more shared among HIV specialty providers, primary care clinicians, and subspecialists. Practitioners in all disciplines will be key to reduce the number of HIV infection.

Accreditation

Continuing Medical Education Credit

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essentials Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the Rochester Academy of Medicine and University of Rochester Medical Center. The Rochester Academy of Medicine (RAM) is accredited by the Medical Society of the State of New York to provide continuing Medical Education for physicians.

The Rochester Academy of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 6 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should only claim credits commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Continuing Nursing Education Credit

Continuing Nursing Education contact hours provided. The University of Rochester Medical Center/Strong Memorial Hospital and Strong Health Affiliates is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Enduring education activities are valid for 2 years.

Continuing Pharmacy Education Credit

An application is pending with the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York (PSSNY) to approve this program for 6.0 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit.