Specialist Courses & Conferences 
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A range of courses conducted by RHRU are provided in this section. This includes the ANNUAL RESEARCH METHODS COURSE IN SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND HIV and a range of HIV Management courses. To view all, please continue to read through this section, by scrolling down and reviewing all the contents.

Clinical HIV Management Course

2009 Courses


2-13 March 2009. Closing date for applications: 31 August 2008

1-12 June 2009. Closing date for applications: 30 November 2008

7-18 September 2009. Closing date for applications: 28 February 2009

2-13 November 2009.
Closing date for applications: 31 May 2009

For full background information on the courses available, the course criteria and the application requirements, please scroll through this section to the end.

Please note you can download the application form for the Clinical HIV Management Course from this website, please see the APPLICATIONS section below - read down


INTRODUCTION


Southern Africa, a region with high HIV prevalence and limited resources, is faced with a crisis of limited medical expertise in the management of HIV and AIDS. The field of HIV and AIDS is rapidly expanding with new treatment modalities directed against prevention, diagnosis and treatment of opportunistic infections and AIDS. Access to anti-retrovirals is increasing, even in resource poor regions. To rollout these treatment advances, the medical community requires specific training. Guidelines established by the department of Health of South Africa and proposed for member countries of the Southern African Development and Economic Community (South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Namibia), and antiretroviral therapy guidelines developed by the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society, require urgent training of doctors and health care workers.

The aim of this course is to provide doctors within the Southern African region with the necessary skills to clinically manage the HIV and AIDS epidemic this continent is facing. One of the principal aims of this program is to provide regions where no teaching facilities are available with the contents of the course in a user-friendly format.


The HIV Management course and Diploma in HIV Management
The course also meets the specifications of the curriculum and the examination regulations for the Diploma in HIV Management being offered by the College of Medicine, South Africa. To qualify for the exam the participant requires 1000 points, 250 of which must be from formal training. The RHRU course provides participants with the full 250 points.

Please note that the College of Medicine of South Africa is an independent post-graduate examination board, widely accepted throughout the Southern African region. For information about the Diploma exam please contact the College of Medicine South Africa directly:
Mrs AL Vorster, Academic Registrar
College of Medicine of South Africa
27 Rhodes Ave, PARKTOWN WEST 2193
Private Bag X23, BRAAMFONTEIN 2017
(W) +27 11 726 7037/8/9
(F) +27 11 726 4036
email:  [email protected]
For the Diploma HIV examinations details please click on the link below
http://www.collegemedsa.ac.za


PARTICIPANTS ON THE CLINICAL HIV MANAGEMENT COURSE
The principal objectives of this course are:

  • to empower previously under trained clinicians from resource poor settings to treat patients with HIV/AIDS
  • to encourage postgraduate training in the field of HIV management
  • to improve the standards of medical practice and patient care in rural and urban communities outside the larger training centers.

The course is aimed primarily at doctors who wish to improve their clinical skills and competence in the diagnosis and management of HIV/AIDS.

PROGRAMME

The following aspects of HIV medicine and related infections will be covered:
  1. Pathogenesis and natural history of untreated HIV disease
  2. Demographic impact of HIV/AIDS and the complications of HIV
  3. Ethical Considerations of HIV testing and research, community and legal implications of an HIV status.
  4. Lab testing for HIV diagnosis, monitoring, toxicity.
  5. Mechanisms of transmission and implications for intervention.
  6. Concepts of prevention including behavior modification and treatment strategies for prevention - syndromic management of STD's, PEP, MTCT and HAART treatment.
  7. Clinical correlates of staging and dynamics disease progression.
  8. Principals of HAART therapy: guidelines on treatment initiation, treatment monitoring and outcome. Emphasis will be placed on treatment challenges such as adherence, drug interactions, and treatment complications. Practical resource advice and potential cost limiting regimens will be discussed.
  9. Aspects of strategic health delivery will be addressed. Current experiences of the South African department of health will be included to address infrastructure, funding allocation and training requirements. An emphasis will be placed on the development of a continuum of care.
  10. Aspects of the pathogenesis and prevention of vertical transmission will be discussed including practical aspects of antiretroviral therapy.
  11. Opportunistic infections diagnosis and treatment; impact and pathogenesis of HIV.
  12. Clinical case presentations and the diagnostic approach to complications of HIV and the treatment thereof will be presented with systematic approach to presentations
  13. New developments in HIV management: This aspect of the course will be presented by leading clinicians in the field of HIV medicine. Emphasis will be placed on new developments in the prevention and treatment of HIV, relevant to the resource setting of the candidates.
  14. Hands on experience at adult ARV clinics, paediatric treatment clinics and antenatal clinic

COURSE LOCATION

All Clinical HIV Management courses take place in central Johannesburg with field trips and practical experience at other sites within Johannesburg.

TIME TABLE & ATTENDANCE

The course will be full time Monday to Friday for two weeks. Where possible, course facilitators will be available for individual discussions, and participants will be encouraged to make appointments with people of direct relevance to their area of interest.
Attendance of all sessions is compulsory. Training will commence on average 08h00 every morning and finish on average 16h00 with the exception of Fridays when the course will finish at 1h00 pm. A detailed agenda will be provided. There will be tea breaks and lunch between sessions. Field trips and practicals will also form part of the training and evening reading will be recommended.

EVALUATION

Course evaluation is completed by participants in writing using questionnaires. There will also be a pre and post training assessment to assist in the quality improvement of the course and to inform participants of their strengths and weaknesses. We consider this evaluation to be vital in our planning and improvement of the course.

CERTIFICATE

Certificates of attendance will be issued to all course participants. This is accepted by the College of Medicine as evidence for the 250 points of formal training. For those who qualify for CPD points, the course is accredited with 36 CPD points and the CPD number will appear on your certificate, this must be kept for HPCSA auditing purposes. RHRU liaises with the CPD office on your behalf to ensure points are processed.

FEES

The course fee is R6,000 for clinicians working within South Africa and $USD750 for those joining the course from elsewhere in the region.
The course fee includes all course materials which you will receive on arrival, lecturers and facilitators, certificate, lunch and other refreshments throughout the day, shuttle service between the hotel and training venue and transport to and from practical visits. Fees are payable in advance and attendance on the course may not begin until fees are fully paid.
PLEASE DO NOT MAKE PAYMENT UNTIL YOUR PLACE ON THE COURSE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED IN WRITING AND AN INVOICE HAS BEEN ISSUED.

BURSARIES

A limited number of bursaries are available on application. To apply for a bursary, complete the standard application form and provide a letter of motivation.
A bursary only covers the course fees.
All participants are responsible for:
  • transport to and from Johannesburg
  • to and from the course venue if not staying at the preferred hotel
  • other personal expenses

DEPOSIT REQUIRED BY BURSARIED STUDENTS
Due to several applicants who have been awarded bursaries failing to attend the course or communicate that they would not be able to attend, bursaried participants will be asked to make a refundable deposit one month before the course commences. Places and bursaries on the course are in high demand and there is always a waiting list of people who wish to attend. If we are aware of cancellations before the course begins, we can offer places to other clinicians. We trust you understand and support our deposit policy.
A deposit of R1,000 or $US125 is required which will be refunded to you by electronic transfer during the first week of the course if you take up your place on the course.

Once you place has been confirmed IN WRITING, proof of your deposit must be faxed to Siyethemba Zwane on +27 (0) 86 639 4649 or mailed to [email protected] at least 2 month before the start of the course. If proof of payment is not received by this time, we will assume that you no longer wish to attend the course and your place will be allocated to another person.

Cancellations:If you cancel between 1 and 14 days before the start of course you will forfeit 100% of your deposit.
If you cancel between 15 and 28 days before the start of course you will forfeit 50% of your deposit.
If you cancel 28 days or more before the start of the course you will receive a full refund minus a 5% administration fee. Cancellations must be in writing.


ACCOMMODATION

Special rates have been negotiated with a hotel and a local bed and breakfast. Transport between both recommended accommodation options and the course venue will be provided daily. Information on accommodation will be provided on confirmation of your application.


APPLICATIONS

Demand for the course is high and early application is advised. Dates for 2008 courses are outlined below.

To apply, please download the following application form, and return by one of the specified options.

Application Form (Clinical HIV Management course 2009 Application Form.pdf)
File Size: 52 kb
  1. If completing this form by hand, please write carefully and legibly.
  2. Please provide as detailed information as possible.
  3. The most important details are your contact details. Please make sure your email address/s is correct, easy to read and that you check them regularly.
 

OTHER COURSES DESIGNED AND FACILITATED BY RHRU

Course 1:

Course: Nurses HIV Management course

Region: Johannesburg
Aim: To provide nurses in South Africa with the necessary skills in HIV management and care
Target Group: Professional nurses, Enrolled Nurses
Duration: 10 days


Course 2:

Course: Strengthening, Integrated, Quality HIV services
Region: Johannesburg
Aim: To improve the efficiency of HIV/ARV clinics, leading to an increased number of patients treated in the most effective manner.
Target Group: Clinic Managers
Duration: 3 days with telephonic follow up
 
 
Course 3:

Course: HIV Care and ARVs (Closed courses*)
Region:
Gauteng and North West
Aim: To develop expertise and skills amongst health care providers within the primary sector to deliver comprehensive primary and secondary care in HIV including antiretrovirals.
Target Group: Multidisciplinary health care workers based in HIV/ARV clinics or referral clinics
Duration: 3 days
 

Course 4:

Course: ARVs and adherence (Closed courses*)
Region:
Gauteng and North West
Aim: To develop expertise and skills amongst lay counsellors within the primary sector to provide effective support to people infected with HIV before and during ARV treatment.
Target Group: Lay counsellors providing adherence counselling
Duration: 3 days
 

* Indicates where courses are held in partnership with the Department of Health and participants are public sector health care workers mobilised by the DoH.

For enquiries regarding Specialist Courses & Conferences, please email [email protected]

Enquiries and application forms can be forwarded to:
Siyethemba Zwane
HIV Management Cluster                   
Reproductive Health & HIV Research Unit                              
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
University of Witwatersrand
 
Hugh Solomon Building
Cnr Klein & Esselen Street
Hillbrow
P.O Box 18512
Hillbrow, Johannesburg
South Africa

Tel: +27 0 11 358 5313 or +27 0 11 358 5300
Fax:  +27 (0) 86 639 4649
Email: [email protected]



ANNUAL RESEARCH METHODS COURSE IN SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND HIV

The 2009 Sexual & Reproductive Health and HIV Research Methods Course will take place from Monday 3rd August 2009 - Friday 28 August 2008

Specialised Intensive Postgraduate Training for Clinicians, Researchers and Professionals working in Sexual & Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS

2009 sees the 13th year of  The Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV Research Methods Course( RHRMC) which is organised by the Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit (RHRU), a research entity of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University of the Witwatersrand and a designated World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre. Applicants are selected by the course Steering Committee constituted by the RHRU, the South African MRC and the Population Council. To date participants have been trained from nineteen African countries; Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

RATIONALE

Governments throughout the world have committed themselves to promoting sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and rights.  Nowhere is this agenda more critical than in Africa, where countries are faced with the multiple legacies of colonialism, gender inequity and under-development. The HIV epidemic now threatens to undermine many of the achievements of previous decades. Effective health sector responses must be scientifically grounded and appropriate to the continent; this requires the development of new generations of African health researchers. This course is an African response to the need to build research capacity in our region. It has been held annually since 1997 and over this time hundreds of researchers have been trained from almost 20 countries.  The course seeks to introduce researchers, health service managers and clinicians to the fundamentals of research methodology and key SRH/HIV issues relevant to the African region.


APPLICANT PROFILE AND SELECTION CRITERIA

The course is intended for people who:

    * Are currently involved in research, are planning to undertake research and/or are required to utilise research or monitoring data within programmes, particularly in the field of SRH/TB/HIV;
    * Have a minimum standard of a degree in medicine/relevant honours degree;
    * Are experienced and involved in SRH or HIV research or programmes.

The minimum qualification for acceptance onto the course is a medical degree or honours degree and substantive experience in the field of sexual and reproductive health and/or HIV/AIDS. Participants are chosen annually by a selection committee and the competitive standard is very high. A limited number of bursaries are available and restricted to African applicants. Certification is dependent on complete course attendance. The course includes pre and post tests for all major modules but has no formal examination. It attracts the maximum annual points for continuing professional development for South African doctors.


APPLICATIONS

These must be accompanied by all the required documentation or will not go to selection

Applicants should complete the application forms and send them with essential documentation listed below by fax, post, or e-mail

• The course application form is available on line or from the coordinator. The last page must be completed by your employer
• A brief curriculum vitae
• A letter of motivation outlining your previous research experience, why you want to do the course and its relevance to your work
• Two letters of professional and personal reference
• Copies of qualifications
• Employer's signed letter of Permission for Study Leave (last page of application form)

The closing date for applications is Monday 2nd March 2009

OBJECTIVES & CONTENT

    * To strengthen the research capabilities of participants and through this to increase research capacity in the African Region;
    * To provide skills in research methodology allowing participants to initiate research, participate in research and to critically appraise research findings;
    * To familiarize participants with the major SRH/HIV issues affecting the African Region;
    * To create a network of alumni to facilitate information exchange and research collaboration in the African region

The course and bursary funding for it is supported by the Belgian Government via Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC), along with the Ford Foundation; Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa, Wellcome Trust and the World Health Organisation.

Eminent international and local experts in reproductive health and research facilitate the course. It has been supported by the Department of Health and has had a very positive external evaluation funded by the Wellcome Trust.


CONTENT

The content covers a spectrum of related topics and areas in depth including an overview of reproductive health, qualitative and quantitative research methods, epidemiology, operations research, statistics, questionnaire design, epi-info statistical analysi package, proposal development, dissemination and utilization of research results, clinical audit, research ethics, costing interventions, and the role of research in policy. Specific issues in reproductive health are covered; Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV, Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, Gender Based Violence in health research and policy and the role of Research in Policy are also included as are site visits to ongoing research projects of related interest.


The course covers all stages of research including; translation of problems into study design and proposals, the translation of results into reports, development of policy, programmes and practice. The curriculum includes:  

Quantitative research

The course provides an introduction to basic epidemiology. It explores different types of study design, their strengths and limitations, and how to choose the most appropriate design for the research question. It covers statistical issues in study design including sampling and sample size, as well as offering a practical approach to data handling, and basic data analysis and interpretation, with the use of Epi-info. The principles of questionnaire design, with reliability and validity are addressed. The course will also provide an introduction to demography including population characteristics, sources of data, and SRH indicators including maternal mortality and morbidity.

Qualitative Research
Methods of qualitative research are introduced, including interviewing techniques and participatory methods, study design and ethics in qualitative research. The appropriate use of qualitative or quantitative methodologies is examined. An experiential introduction to data handling, data analysis and writing is provided.

 Operations Research/Applied Research

Methods used in health service evaluation are introduced including clinical audit, access to care, quality of care, efficiency, equity, costing studies, information systems and using research to improve services. The course will also cover linkages between research and the policy process.

Research Ethics

The principles of ethics are addressed, including study design in vulnerable communities, consent, and information to study participants, HIV/AIDS research, special situations and submitting a proposal to a research ethics committee.

Other course components include:-

    * Critically reviewing literature and other sources of information;
    * Proposal development and managing a research project;
    * Report writing and dissemination of research findings;
    * Use of computers in research, including the internet and power point;
    * Site visits to research sites and other innovative SRH/HIV intervention programmes;
    * A group work project.

COURSE LOCATION

The venue is acentrally situated hotel in a central suburb of Johannesburg, Rosebank, convenient to bookshops and other stores, cafes, etc.

TIMETABLE & ATTENDANCE
The course will be full time Monday to Friday for four weeks, 8.00 -18.00. Attendance of all sessions is compulsory. A detailed agenda will be provided. There will be tea breaks and lunch between sessions. Site visits will also form part of the course and evening/weekend reading is necessary for the course and the group work project.

EVALUATION
Course evaluation is completed by participants in writing using questionnaires. There will also be a pre and post training assessment and sessional tests to assist in the quality improvement of the course.

CERTIFICATE
Certificates of attendance will be issued to all course participants. For those who qualify for CPD points, the course is accredited with the annual maximum and RHRU liaises with the CPD office on your behalf to ensure points are processed.

2009 FEES
Has not been set.

The course fee includes all course materials which you will receive on arrival, lecturers and facilitators, certificate, lunch and other refreshments throughout the day and transport to and from practical visits. Fees are payable in advance and attendance on the course may not begin until fees are fully paid.

BURSARIES
A limited number of bursaries are available by competitive selection and awarded by the committee.

Application Form (2009 Methods Application Form.pdf)


For enquiries regarding Specialist Courses & Conferences, please email [email protected]