Needs Statement

Clinicians in the United States, public health workers, and healthcare students and trainees do not receive systematic training about Chagas disease, even though a large portion of the U.S. population is at risk, including immigrants from continental Latin America and people living in the Southern United States where the Triatomine vector is endemic. At-risk children, women of reproductive age, and immunocompromised individuals particularly should be screened for the disease, and those confirmed to be positive should be treated to reduce their risk of developing severe sequelae of Chagas disease. This case conference aims to advance learner knowledge about the evidence-based recommendations for Chagas disease diagnosis, management, monitoring of treatment side effects, and implementation of strategies for screening and prevention. The overall goals are to enhance the quality of care for patients with Chagas disease in the United States and to improve patient outcomes by reducing disease-related morbidity and mortality.