RETENTION AND REENGAGEMENT IN CARE OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV (PLHIV) THROUGH PHYSICIAN AND MEDIA DELIVERED U=U RETENTION IN CARE EDUCATION IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA
Background
For many PLHIV and their partners, the Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U) message is a fundamental paradigm shift that provides an unprecedented opportunity to improve lives of people living with HIV, dismantle HIV stigma, and encourage people to start and stay on treatment for their health and the health of their sexual partners. No previous research study focused on the clinical assessment of the dissemination of the U=U messaging was known to date whilst anecdotal data continues to accumulate, and clinical guidelines call for its integration into clinical discussions. The assessment of the intended study implementation explores best practices and lessons learned pertaining related to implementing such a study
Design
To aid future research on the effectiveness of the U=U message campaign as a clinical intervention, the aim of the intended study assessment is to document the clinics’ experience and lessons learned of running hybrid type 1 research to evaluate the effectiveness of a clinic-delivered media campaign of the U=U message.
Primary objectives
- Assess the barriers and facilitators associated with implementing a U=U campaign intervention
- Provide recommended best practices for Increasing patient provider communication around U=U to improve patient retention in care
Challenges and Lessons Learned
A key learning from conducting this study was that it is not feasible to combine the initial HIV-related assessments and activities required for newly diagnosed HIV patients with substantially time-consuming baseline study visit-related forms and procedures. An additional challenge for this study was the high levels of demand from HIV patients. Both clinics included in this study had an extremely high volume of HIV patients (e.g., one clinic database includes ~4,000 patients). Due to this demand, both clinics were resource-challenged, making it infeasible to perform all the required study-related activities. Results are expected to be published by the end of 2022.
Collaborators
Dr. Thanes Vanig
Dr. Ann Khlasa
Setting
Two clinical sites in the Phoenix, Arizona region
Location
USA
Duration
April 2019 – Oct 2020
Category
Health Related Quality of Life
RELATED STUDIES
USA
In an effort to increase retention in care, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of phone calls from primary caregiver to retain HIV positive patients in care and within the same health care system.
USA
This study aims to determine the reach of the U=U message and better understand the context for implementation across different audiences using social media and other virtual approaches implemented by community ambassadors.
USA
As part of this project, financial incentives were used to engage and retain people living with HIV with the goal of contributing to viral suppression in the Baton Rouge, LA area.
Study focus areas
Our implementation research projects have a global reach and focus on improving the HIV prevention and care continuum.
NP-GBL-HVX-WCNT-220049 October 2023
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