Postgraduate training in infectious diseases: investigating the current status in the international community

Abstract

International collaboration and understanding is becoming increasingly important as we face a soaring number of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Management of these conditions calls for a cohesive international effort, with contributions from many infectious disease specialists. To optimise collaborative efforts, an international understanding of training, capabilities, and skills would be valuable. An investigation of postgraduate training programmes in the infectious disease specialties around the world was done. 33 countries contributed information. 26 of these countries had established training programmes--one of which was changing its duration and research component; three were in the process of setting up programmes, two provided specialist training that had no official recognition, and two had no specialist training. In addition to promoting international understanding and collaboration, this article should catalyse a global assessment of postgraduate training programmes within the field of infectious diseases.

New insights into the antiviral effects of chloroquine

“…3 These results are different from those of another trial in Singapore using didanosine (125-250 mg twice daily), hydroxyurea (500 mg twice daily), and hydroxychloroquine (200 mg twice daily, corresponding to 125 mg of chloroquine). 1 The median drop in viral load was 1·3 log, similar to that induced by a NRTI plus hydroxyurea. Follow-up of these patients at week 144 suggests that the value of hydroxychloroquine may lie in the maintenance of the effects of didanosine/ hydroxyurea.…”

“…In a paper published 2 years ago in this journal, some of us described the potentially therapeutic benefits of the quinoline antimalarial chloroquine in viral diseases such as HIV-1/AIDS and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). 1 Chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine has since been adopted to treat HIV-1-infected patients in clinical trials, and new insights into its antiviral activity have been obtained from in-vitro studies.…”

The impact of infectious disease specialists on antibiotic prescribing in hospitals

“…Infectious disease (ID) specialists (IDSs), clinical microbiologists and pharmacists are key actors in hospital‐based antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes (AMSPs), and multidisciplinary antimicrobial management teams are recommended . Wide variations in IDS training and type of practice exist across the globe . The added value of IDSs for AMSPs has been uncertain, but is now being increasingly acknowledged .…”

Accuracy of consultations performed by infectious diseases trainees and factors associated with adherence to them

“…The role and duties of infectious diseases specialists (IDSs) in hospitals, and what is expected of them, are increasing steadily worldwide. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Consultations comprise a major part of the daily practice of IDSs, 1,2,[6][7][8][10][11][12][13] and infectious diseases trainees should be familiar with the duties relevant to consultation practice. 2 The evaluation of training and the giving of feedback are important in all education settings, and particularly in medical education; it is of major importance to evaluate the quality of specialist training.…”