(19) Assessment of Pharmacy Student Bias Towards HIV Patients on an IPE Experience

Objective : To evaluate the impact of an interprofessional experience in an HIV clinic in which pharmacy, medicine, nursing and social work students participate in clinical and didactic experiences. This study aims to assess students’ attitudes towards persons living with HIV (PLWH) before and after the experience.

Methods: Since 2016, over 180 health professional students have participated in a two-week intentional interprofessional rotation at the SC HIV Clinical Training Center. Students from four disciplines participated in didactic lectures, various clinical experiences, conducted a team visit with an HIV-positive patient, and developed a comprehensive care plan for the selected patient. Surveys were disseminated at the beginning and end of the rotation and assessed HIV-related stigma using the Health Care Provider HIV/AIDS Sigma Scale (HPASS). Possible scores range from 30-180 and include questions from three subscales: stereotyping, discrimination and prejudice.

Results: Student responses to the 30-item questionnaire over the past seven years demonstrate a decrease in overall stigma with a mean score of 55 pre-rotation and 46 post-rotation. Medical students (n=50) had the most notable change with an overall change of -9.8 followed by nursing (n=54) with a change of -8.3. Pharmacy (n=36) and social work (n=37) also had a decrease in scores with a change of -7.9 and -7.8, respectively. Scores in each subscale also decreased for all disciplines.

Conclusions: The HPASS survey results indicate an improved attitude toward PLWH thus demonstrating a short-term, intentional interprofessional experience can positively impact pharmacy student bias.