Piloting the Impact of an e-Learning on Knowledge About HIV Prevention and Prophylaxis Among General Practitioners in Belgium.

Abstract

Introduction: The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has set a goal to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and the World Health Organization emphasized pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a crucial element. Despite the lack of a specific role for general practitioners (GPs) in PrEP care, GPs could play a crucial role in the follow-up but this is still uncommon. Above, GPs estimate their knowledge about PrEP as low.

Objectives: This study seeks to understand the knowledge of GPs regarding PrEP care. Through online e-learning, we aimed to enhance our knowledge of PrEP care.

Methods: Firstly, we assessed general knowledge about the PrEP of GPs. Secondly, we investigated the impact of e-learning on knowledge of PrEP care among GPs. We developed a multiple-choice questionnaire to evaluate self-assessed knowledge and knowledge about PrEP. One group of participants completed an e-learning module and took a pre- and post-test to assess changes in knowledge. Another group completed the questionnaire without e-learning.

Results: Seventy-two participants completed the survey. Finally, 18 participants successfully completed the e-learning module. Nineteen percent (n = 14) of all GPs considered their general knowledge of PrEP to be "good," while 68% (n = 49) of the GPs felt confident in identifying patients at risk, rating their ability as "good." Participants achieved an average score of 4.7 (test group) and 4.6 (e-learning group) out of 10 on the knowledge test. After completion of the e-learning, the overall average score of the e-learning group significantly increased by 33% (p-value < .03).

Conclusions: GP generally scored low on knowledge covering different aspects of PrEP. However, after completing an e-learning module, there was a significant increase in the average test scores. These findings highlight the potential efficacy of targeted educational interventions in enhancing the understanding of PrEP among GPs.