Fifth Funding Cycle
07/01/97 - 06/30/02

Abstract

The goal of this application is to develop and implement comprehensive, interdisciplinary curricula on TB for health care providers in academic and community settings. Specific aims are: 1) establishment of comprehensive, interdisciplinary TB curricula at a Health Sciences campus. The target audience will include physicians, physician assistants and nurses who care for most of the TB cases in urban areas and primary care providers who evaluate most patients for TB infection. A telemedicine system will be used that allows transmission of high-quality images and interactive videoconferencing between faculty at a central location and trainees at geographically separate sites. The effectiveness of the curricula will be measured by: a) objective tests of factual knowledge and clinical decision-making skills, using written tests and structured clinical examinations; and b) evaluation of changes in clinical practice patterns, using focused chart reviews; 2) training Health Sciences faculty to provide instruction in TB and disseminate the curricula developed in Aim 1; and 3) expansion of educational efforts to the community. With use of the educational infrastructure of Tuberculosis Control of Los Angeles County, the TB curricula developed in Aim 1 will be adapted for community health care providers. Computer-based interactive programs using CD-ROM technology and/or the Internet will be used for some target audiences.

For more information please contact:
Brenda Jones, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
USC Medical Center
1200 North State, Room 6442
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Phone: (323) 226-7504
FAX: (323) 226-7726
E-mail: bejones@hsc.usc.edu