AIDS Management

Target Population: Physicians and nurses from Ethiopia Objectives: The objective of this course is to improve the communication skills of physicians and nurses working with AIDS patients in Ethiopia. The main goal is improving patient cooperation and adherence in self-managing their pharmaceutical regimen.  In addition, the course aims to strengthen the teamwork skills of medical staff and increase their awareness of the cultural differences that impact on their patients' ability to cope with AIDS. Course Description: The course is held in collaboration with Hadassah Medical Center and the Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center.  Scenarios are conducted in Amharic using Amharic speaking actors playing the role of HIV patients and their families.  The course focuses on various issues affecting AIDS patients (including pharmacological treatment, protected sexual relations, infection of family members, and how to deliver bad news to patients). Colleagues and debriefing facilitators observe the encounters through one-way glass panels, and audiovisual recordings are made for the debriefing sessions.  On completion of the encounter, the participant receives feedback from the simulated patient, colleagues and debriefing facilitators and the recorded encounter is watched and discussed in the debriefing session.