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For over 10 years, Saskatchewan has had the highest annual rate of new HIV and hepatitis C diagnoses in the country. The province now has one of the fastest growing rates of syphilis infections in Canada. This is resulting in an urgent need to educate healthcare providers accross the province how to recognize, test, treat and manage these sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBI) in their clinics. 

In response, the STBBI Treatment Education Program for Saskatchewan (STEPS) has been created to provide free and accessible continuing medical education through the STBBI Virtual Classroom.

Additional STEPS programing and support is available for Physicians and Nurse Practitioners who are interested in prescribing HIV and hepatitis C treatment in Saskatchewan.

 

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Target Audience:

Primary care physicians, specialist physicians, medical residents, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and pharmacists working in Saskatchewan. Other health care professions are welcomed to participate

  • There is NO COST to participate.
  • Accredited continuing medical education.
  • All registrants will recieve access to the event recording.

SPRING 2024: STBBI Virtual Classroom Series

Practical Approaches to Syphilis

Date: Thursday, April 11, 2024| 11:00am-12:30pm (Delivered over Zoom)

Co-Presenters: Janice Seebach RN & Caroline Bailey RN

By the end of this activity, participants will be able to:

  • Locate and make use of Provincial and National syphilis care resources.
  • Define the roles of testing providers and Public Health teams.
  • Identify and distinguish between primary and secondary syphilis symptoms.
  • Review syphilis test results including last negative, treatment day, and post serological results.
  • Apply syphilis treatment strategies including ordering, administering and documenting.

HIV PrEP 101

Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024 | 11:00am-12:00pm (Delivered over Zoom)

Co-Presenters: Courtney Dalton BSP, Jacqueline Myers BSP AAHIVP & Richelle Foraie NP

By the end of this activity, participants will be able to:

  • Differentiate between HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
  • Identify and educate diverse patient populations on the use and benefit of PrEP for HIV prevention.
  • Describe how to prescribe medications used for PrEP in Canada.
  • Develop a patient specific action plan for initiating PrEP, which incorporates follow up and adherence support.
  • Identify ways in which stigma affects access to PrEP and how healthcare providers can reduce this stigma.

Digging Deeper into the Women-Centred HIV Care Model

Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2024 | 11:00am-12:30pm (Delivered over Zoom)

Co-Presenters: Mona Loutfy MD, FRCPC, MPH & Dessie-Jo Sutherland (Community Consultant)

By the end of this activity, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the science and benefits of trauma and violence-informed care.
  • Formulate strategies for initiating support measures for patients embarking on their trauma healing
    journey.
  • Discuss the roles and impacts of trauma and violence-aware care within the practice of women-centered HIV care.
  • Locate the Women-Centred-HIV Care (WCHC) toolkit for healthcare providers.

Additional STEPS Programing & Support

Physicians and Nurse Practitioners who are interested in becoming HIV and hepatitis C treatment prescribers in Saskatchewan might be eligible for additional support from the STEPS program.

This includes:

  • Assistance being added to the list of Designated HIV and/or Hep C Treatment Prescribers for Saskatchewan: The STEPS program provides coordination and preparation of requests to SK Drug Plan on behalf of physicians and nurse practitioners who want to be added to the list of Designated ARV (HIV) and/or DAA (Hep C) Treatment Prescribers for Saskatchewan. Joining this list will ensure HIV and Hep C medication cost coverage for patients covered under SK Drug Plan. 
  • HIV/STBBI Clinical Preceptorship: The STEPS program coordinates opportunities for physicians and nurse practitioners who are currently practicing in Saskatchewan to participate in half or full day clinics to observe an HIV/STBBI specialist provide patient care. 
    • Note: Limited number of opportunities are available and participants are prioritized based on the following criteria:
      • 1) Currently (or interested) in prescribing HIV and/or STBBI medication treatment.
      • 2) Currently (or will) be working in a clinic with a moderate or high volume of patients who require HIV/STBBI care.
      • 3) Have received HIV/STBBI medical education from the STEPS program. 

Contact amanda.galambos@usask.ca to learn more.

Acknowledgment
The STEPS program has received an educational grant or in-kind resources from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health.

For more information contact the STEPS Program Coordinator, Amanda.galambos@usask.ca