The Victorian HIV and Hepatitis Integrated Training and Learning (VHHITAL) program includes prescriber-led topical sessions in its training suite for bloodborne virus and sexually transmitted infections (BBV STI).
Funded by the Victorian Department of Health, VHHITAL offers statewide education sessions for primary care on the diagnosis, treatment and management of HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and STIs.
This CPD-accredited training is led by topic experts and experienced educators. It ranges from introductory sessions through to advanced courses including Section 100 (s100) prescriber training for HIV and hepatitis B.
The new topical sessions are a unique opportunity for s100 clinicians to deliver their own BBV STI education using the VHHITAL platform. This enables VHHITAL to deliver relevant content not addressed within its current training, expand the program’s reach to primary care providers, and support growing the VHHITAL faculty.
A pilot session was held in November 2023 on ‘kink health for the sexually adventurous’. The webinar attracted keen interest from participants, who gained an overview of alternative sexual activities and how they can impact presentations in general practice.
Post-training evaluation indicated the most useful aspects of the session included practical information on communicating with patients regarding sexual health screening, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine recommendations for men who have sex with men, knowledge of long-acting Cabotegravir (CAB-LA) injection sites, and the interaction of oestrogen with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
The prescriber-led topical education sessions will continue to run in 2024 alongside VHHITAL’s core program of BBV STI education. To find a list of future events, see the state-wide BBV STI calendar here: bbvsti.vtphna.org.au
Other upcoming VHHITAL training
- HIV s100 prescriber course (Tuesdays 5, 12, 19, 26 March 2024, 6:30-8:30pm) – Register here
- Hepatitis B for nurses and midwives (Wed 13 and Thurs 14 March, 11am-3pm) – Register here
- Working with sex workers: health and wellbeing under decriminalisation
- Wednesday 20 March, 6-8pm – Register here
- Monday 8 April, 12-2pm – Register here
- Wednesday 24 April, 6-8pm – Register here
