Training HIV specialists for community mental health

There is a critical need for trained HIV mental health specialists who possess the knowledge and attitudes necessary to meet the challenges of the HIV epidemic. A model for an intensive and experiential continuing education tutorial is briefly described, and evaluative data are presented. Upon completion of the three-day workshop, participants show an increase in HIV-related knowledge and a positive shift in attitudes regarding working with people affected by HIV disease.Dr. Friedrich is Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Community Mental Health and Associate Director of the USF Center for HIV Education and Research.Dr. Gaies is Staff Psychologist with American Biodyne, Inc., and former Coordinator of the Department's Clinical Tutorial.Dr. Achenbach is Visiting Associate Professor in the Department of Law and Mental Health.Funding to develop the HIV Clinical Tutorial was provided under grant #BRT-000044-02-0, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.