Treatment and care of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the United States has made great advances over the last decade. As more potent antiretroviral therapies have become available, the life expectancy of individuals living with HIV/AIDS has increased dramatically and HIV-positive care has continued to transition toward a chronic disease model. In addition to caring for an aging population that is living longer, approximately 50,000 new infections occur in the United States every year. As the HIV epidemic continues to evolve, it has become increasingly important for primary care physicians to become competent in providing up to date care to patients infected with HIV.
The Family Medicine Residency of Idaho (FMRI) HIV Primary Care Fellowship is a 12-month post-residency training opportunity that provides a suitable environment for the family medicine physician to gain additional experience in providing comprehensive care to persons living with HIV/AIDS. Training includes management of antiretroviral therapy and opportunistic infections, as well as full spectrum primary care of the HIV-positive patient. This fellowship training opportunity places an additional emphasis on provision of care to underserved and rural HIV-positive populations.
The HIV primary care fellowship is based at the Wellness Center at FMRI, a Ryan White grant recipient clinic that provides comprehensive interdisciplinary medical care to more than 500 individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Idaho.