Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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San Francisco Examiner - September 30, 2001
At present, those who call themselves HIV specialists often are internists or infectious disease doctors who stay current on new treatment trends on their own. Though they must absorb the added cost of keeping up to date in a rapidly changing field, HIV specialists are often paid no more than primary care physicians because their specialty does not legally exist.
The American Academy of HIV Medicine, an AIDS advocacy group comprising more than 1,000 physicians, nurses and health service workers, hopes to change that by launching a certification process in October.
Crafted during the past nine months by a panel of 50 academics, clinicians and HIV experts, the curriculum consists of study guides and self-assessment materials. Kits will be sent out in the coming weeks to academy members.
The process is expected to culminate next month with the certification of the first HIV specialists. And though managed-care companies have yet to recognize the newly created credentials, the hope is that this will be a first step in getting the American Board of Medical Specialties to take note of the emerging specialty.
"It's not a complete step," says Scott Hitt, president of the American Academy of HIV Medicine, "but it is a step in the right direction."
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