Case Study: Custom Elearning Helps Reduce Perinatal HIV Rates

Client: Texas Department of State Health Services
Industry: Health/Medical, Government

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) needed to address rising perinatal HIV transmission rates after years of progress. Microassist partnered with DSHS to develop a custom eLearning course for clinicians, improving communication strategies for discussing HIV testing with pregnant women. This training contributed to a reduction in transmission rates to less than 1%, offering healthier futures for newborn Texans.

The Client

DSHS is responsible for promoting the health and well-being of 27 million Texans. With 12,000 employees and a $3.2 billion budget, DSHS’s Division for Disease Control and Prevention Services leads the state’s efforts in controlling HIV/AIDS, among many other public health tasks. DSHS has been a leader in implementing HIV prevention and treatment strategies since the 1990s, focusing on reducing transmission and providing effective care.

 The Challenge

While DSHS had successfully reduced adult HIV transmission through aggressive testing and treatment, perinatal HIV transmission rates began to rise again after years of decline. Despite statewide opt-out HIV testing for pregnant women and advances in drug therapies, transmission rates rebounded to 4%. DSHS identified both procedural and emotional barriers to HIV testing: labor-intensive oral testing kits and clinician discomfort with discussing HIV testing. As a result, many at-risk pregnant women were choosing to opt out of testing, unaware that perinatal HIV transmission could be prevented.

The Solution

DSHS recognized that effective communication was essential to increasing the uptake of perinatal HIV testing. Medical professionals needed training to present the benefits of testing clearly and compassionately and to support patients through discussions about positive test results.

Microassist designed an engaging elearning course for clinicians that included case studies, scientific data, and practical strategies for improving communication with patients about HIV testing. The course covered critical testing points, including:

• Routine medical visits
• Pregnancy
• Labor and delivery when the HIV status is unknown

The course featured interactive elements, voiceover narration, and subtitles to enhance learner engagement and meet state-mandated accessibility standards. This design ensured that medical professionals could absorb and retain the vital information necessary for preventing perinatal HIV transmission.

The Implementation

Microassist worked closely with DSHS to develop an accessible, interactive learning experience for Texas doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers. The course included real-world scenarios to help caregivers navigate difficult conversations about HIV testing and provided tools to explain the benefits of testing to pregnant women. By integrating voiceover narration and case studies, the training ensured busy clinicians could engage with the content meaningfully, even during their demanding schedules.

The Results

The eLearning course was well-received by Texas clinicians, who praised its engaging, interactive format. Importantly, the course met stringent accessibility requirements, ensuring all participants could access and benefit from the training.

• Hundreds of Texas doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have completed the training.
• The rate of perinatal HIV transmission in Texas fell to less than 1% under this program.
• Improved communication between caregivers and patients has empowered more pregnant women to undergo testing, leading to healthier newborn outcomes.

Thanks to the training provided by Microassist and other DSHS-sponsored programs, hundreds of infants in Texas are now born free of HIV, offering them the chance to live normal, healthy lives.

Client Testimonial

“Microassist’s innovative and accessible approach to training has equipped our clinicians with the communication tools they need to ensure that more pregnant women understand the benefits of HIV testing. Their support has been integral in our fight to reduce perinatal HIV transmission in Texas.” – [DSHS Representative]

Conclusion

Microassist’s custom learning solution helped DSHS address rising perinatal HIV transmission rates by improving clinician-patient communication. By equipping caregivers with the right communication tools, DSHS significantly reduced perinatal HIV transmission and provided healthier outcomes for newborns across the state.

Is your organization equipped with the proper training solutions to ensure critical communication and compliance while meeting the demands of your workforce? Let Microassist help you transform your training into measurable success. Contact us at [email protected] to learn more.