Bridging borders in HIV care education: Lessons from an online multidisciplinary international exchange programme.

BACKGROUND

International Exchange Fellowships (IEFs) offered by the British HIV Association (BHIVA) aim to foster connections between healthcare institutions in the United Kingdom and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to improve the management of people living with HIV. During the COVID-19 pandemic, travel restrictions necessitated a shift to virtual exchanges. We present our experience of using BHIVA IEF funding to establish a regular online educational exchange between healthcare professionals treating people living with HIV in Chile, Peru and the United Kingdom.

METHODS

We held virtual meetings with real-time English-Spanish translation. Participants from the United Kingdom, Chile and Peru were invited through an online survey to gauge interest and identify key HIV care topics. Sessions featured presentations from each country, fostering bidirectional learning. Feedback was collected through pre- and post-session surveys to assess participant experience and satisfaction. A framework for replication was designed.

RESULTS

Initial survey responses showed unanimous interest. Sessions attracted an average of 100 participants, with long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy (ART)-the most popular topic-not yet available in Latin America. Despite time zone coordination challenges, the programme was well received, with all respondents interested in continuing. Suggestions for improvement included adjusting session timings and extending discussion time.

CONCLUSIONS

With BHIVA IEF support, we demonstrated the feasibility and value of virtual international exchanges in HIV care. The initiative facilitated continued knowledge sharing, especially benefiting professionals in LMICs. Future improvements in logistics and advertising will enhance reach and impact. This model offers a sustainable, inclusive framework for global collaboration in HIV education.