Vera HIV Med School

Name of the activity: Vera HIV Med School

Country/NMO: Russian Federation (HCCM)

Program: Teaching Medical Skills

Contact information: [email protected]

Type of the activity: Education. Education on health issues for specific societal groups, either in the form of projects (set of tasks for a certain group over a fixed period of time), events (something notable that happens) or conferences (form meeting about ideas related to a particular topic, usually over several days).

General description:

In order to encourage a new generation of health-care workers in the Russian Federation to provide medical services in a non-stigmatizing and discrimination-free setting, 20 medical students from across the country participated in a new week-long course at the Vera HIV Med School. The course is designed to complement what students learn at university. During this course students studied various aspects of HIV treatment, learned about the needs of people living with HIV, including representatives of the key populations. Training sessions includes lectures and workshops on non-discriminatory approaches to people living with HIV and meeting people living with HIV, doctors, lawyers, psychologists, HIV activists and representatives of nongovernmental organizations to hear their stories. At the end of the school, participants noted an increase in their own knowledge, as well as a significant change in their attitude to patients with HIV.

Focus area:

HIV education training for future health-care professions

Problem statement:

Medical students often only hear second-hand stories about how to treat or care for people living with HIV. But if they receive the right training and practical support, they can be a bridge between people at risk of HIV and access to life-saving services. If doctors unknowingly promote stigma or explicitly discriminate against people living with HIV, or people at risk of HIV, it can result in patients being denied access to treatment, or even avoiding contact with medical services.

Target groups:

Medical students, Healthcare Students, Other Students, Doctors, Other health professionals, Youth, LGBTQIA+ community

Beneficiaries:

General population, Medical students, Healthcare Students, Other Students, Doctors, Other health professionals, Migrants, LGBTQIA+ community

Objectives and indicators of success:

– Organize one-week trainings for 20 medical students on medical, ethical, social, legal aspects of HIV/AIDS

– To provide commucation and practical skills in a non-stigmatizing and discrimination-free approaches

Success indicators:

number of participants – 20;

trainers – doctors, lawyers, psychologists, HIV activists and representatives of nongovernmental organizations, people living with HIV, doctors, lawyers, psychologists, HIV activists and representatives of nongovernmental organizations;

media coverage – number of publications about this event (>5)

Methodology:

Training for the next generation of future doctors on HIV-related stigma and discrimination means that we organize lectures and workshops on non-discriminatory approaches to people living with HIV and meeting people living with HIV, doctors, lawyers, psychologists, HIV activists and representatives of nongovernmental organizations to hear their stories.

This school is free for participants (including two meals a day, hotel accommodation for 7 days, souvenirs for participants).

Participants are selected on the basis of a motivation letter and a CV. It takes into account the experience of educational, scientific and volunteer activities, both on the topic of HIV infection and in other areas.

From monday till saturday participants attend AIDS.CENTER community center and in total they have 2 trainings, 11 lectures and 3 open discussions.

Plans for evaluation:

Increase knowledge on medical, ethical, social, legal aspects of HIV/AIDS – we measure it providing quiz before and after this training.

Media coverage – number of publications about this activity.