Developing quality primary care services in HIV/AIDS care: the educational imperative.

In recognition of the growing demand for services related to infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in nonmetropolitan centers, the New South Wales Department of Health has developed a program for training selected medical practitioners from throughout the state in the management of HIV infection. This article provides a summary of the concerns and issues related to developing "A Short Course in HIV Medicine" for medical practitioners. This course was designated a prerequisite for the authority to prescribe zidovudine outside teaching hospitals and specialized HIV infection units. From our experience, we believe that an interactive approach is required in teaching, with a flexible course structure that allows the varying needs of medical practitioners with differing experiences in HIV infection to be met. From our observations we believe that additional effort is required to ensure the ongoing training of participants and to encourage greater networking with specialized HIV services.