Assessing the training needs of community nurses with respect to HIV-infection within a central London health district: results, recommendations and training completed 1991-1992

OBJECTlVES:
To describe self-identified training needs of community nurse (CN) disciplines including district nurses (DN) and health visitors (HV). To formulate a joint basic training (TP) with district Health Promotion Department. To evaluate training.
METHODS:
A literature review identified eleven key areas problematic for CN support of the client group. Two data collection methods used included an eleven-item training questionnaire (TQ) and CNS co-facilitated semi-structured interviews (SSI) with CN teams.
RESULTS: SSI identified staff training, CNS-led clinical workshops and intravenous therapy updating as key concerns. A basic training course (BTC) for CN was originated from SSI adapted to TQ data (response rate 40%, analysis ongoing). School nurses were poorest responders to TQ (<n=10) and featured least in SSI.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: CNS identified continuous on-going training, CNS Iiaison role and clinically relevant workshops in support of CN role in HIV client care. Preliminary BTC evaluation shows popularity, effectiveness of role play, case study and critical incident theory for training with client group. Key issues for field staff remain general practitioner's role in care, potential role of HV in HIV-testing and liaison with DN by specialist teams.