(P196) SYPHILIS IN THE SOUTH SUMMIT: CAN A SUMMIT IMPACT PRACTICE CHANGE AND JURISDICTIONAL PRIORITIES?

Background:
With syphilis on the rise in the southern region of the U.S., the Denver and Southeast Prevention Training Centers (PTCs) hosted a Syphilis in the South Summit (SiSS) in May 2023. This one-day summit addressed program implementation of key syphilis priorities, including successes and barriers. Each jurisdiction developed comprehensive action plans to identify ongoing priorities. We examined the effectiveness of a one-day summit in influencing individual intent to change and practice change.

Methods:
An online post-course evaluation was sent to attendees immediately after the event, and a long-term evaluation was sent eight months after the event, measuring progress attendees made toward their identified practice changes for their states. The long-term evaluation questions captured the demographics of attendees, implementation of practice changes, barriers, and future planning. The long-term survey was distributed via email by the SiSS planning committee.

Results:
The summit was attended by 58 individuals representing leadership from 11 STI clinics, 10 state health departments, and eight other healthcare organizations. The post-course evaluation had a completion rate of 59% (n=58), with 86% (n=38) indicating an intent to make a practice change. The long-term evaluation had a completion rate of 50% (n=44), and 91% (n=22) indicating they identified new approaches to address syphilis within their program. The actual practice changes reported in the long-term evaluation included 95% of attendees sharing information presented with colleagues after the event, 55% revising existing clinical protocol or processes, and 45% enhancing a clinical service. Seventy-two percent indicated competing priorities as the most significant barrier to implementing action items, while 32% indicated a need for more time. Ninety-five percent of attendees indicated that technical assistance is needed to sustain practice change.

Conclusion:
A one-day summit with key leadership can successfully impact practice change and assist in identifying new approaches to syphilis with their organizations and clinics.