Through interviews and focus groups, clinic and program staff from nine organizations nationwide provided insights about the role of patient navigators in building a medical home for people living with HIV who are homeless/unstably housed and co-diagnosed with substance use and/or mental health disorders. Results of this qualitative research are presented in this peer-reviewed article which will be published in the Journal of Public Health Management Practice and is available online ahead of print publication. Researchers identified ten key responsibilities of patient navigators as part of the HIV care team that seeks to engage this population in care and treatment. The article concludes that patient navigators may be a key component in creating an effective patient-centered medical home for this population.
I AM THE ARCHIVE.PHP FILE
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HIV/AIDS Medical Case Management Acuity Tool Form
In 2014, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) launched a project to develop an acuity tool to assess the severity of needs of clients living with HIV. The CAHPP team worked with MDPH and BPHC staff to create an acuity tool that assesses client needs in 13 areas of functioning and four categories of severity. The CAHPP team conducted a pilot test of the tool with medical case management providers in 38 agencies across MA and NH and evaluated the results. A link to the tool and final evaluation report appears below. The report provided MDPH Office of HIV/AIDS with the credibility and information to talk with providers about necessary modifications and finalize the tool for dissemination in HIV CM programs. The MDPH Office of HIV/AIDS has required the use of the acuity tool in funded case management programs. It has also been used to assess the acuity of patients in other organizations throughout the country.
To request an Excel version of the report and sample of the guidance provided by MDPH on the use of the tool, please fill out our contact form with a subject line “Acuity tool and guidance.”
Ryan White 2016 Presentation: Implementing and Evaluating a Peer-Enhanced Navigation Intervention
Results from a randomized control trial–As part of the Minority AIDS Initiative Retention and Re-Engagement in HIV Care Project, CAHPP staff evaluated the effectiveness of a peer-enhanced intervention at three clinic locations. They presented their findings at the Ryan White 2016 conference. Staff from partner Brooklyn PATH Center presented about their experience implementing the intervention and incorporating it into their clinic practice.
Ryan White 2016 Conference Presentation: Moving Research Findings into Practice to Improve Health Outcomes along the HIV Care Continuum
Staff from CAHPP and partner AIDS United shared results to date of the Dissemination and Evaluation Center (DEC) in a presentation at the Ryan White 2016 Conference.
Ryan White 2016 Conference Presentation: Understanding and Addressing Stigma to Promote Engagement in HIV Care
As part of the initiative Building a Medical Home for Multiply Diagnosed HIV Homeless Populations, staff conducted a substudy on stigma. The goals of the study are to 1) understand and describe how stigma is manifested in individual’s experience 2) develop approaches and coping skills for clients who experience stigma and 3) create a medical home to reduce stigma and enhance access and quality of care. The team presented preliminary results at the Ryan White 2016 conference.
Ryan White 2016 Conference Presentation: Everybody Loves a Good Story
Using digital media to capture & share patient stories–As part of the initiative Building a Medical Home for Multiply Diagnosed HIV Homeless Populations, staff from nine HIV provider sites created digital stories demonstrating their clients’ experiences working with the initiative. In this presentation, staff from CAHPP and two demonstration sites shared lessons learned when creating these stories.
Ryan White 2016 Conference Homeless Institute – Homeless Institute 101: Providing care to people who are homeless/unstably housed: Barriers and facilitators to achieving the National HIV/AIDS Strategy goals (Thur Aug. 25, 2016 3:30 – 5:00 pm ET, Session ID: 6424) PDF
The CAHPP staff, together with partner Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program and HIV provider demonstration sites nationwide, presented the work of the initiative Building a Medical Home for Multiply Diagnosed HIV Homeless Populations. The team presented an institute consisting of three 90-minute workshops at the 2016 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Conference.
Digital Story: Los Pares Cambian Las Vidas – Peers Change Lives
This video tells the story of one peer and one client who worked together to build a healing relationship to improve the client’s well-being and adherence to HIV treatment. In their own words, the peer and client relate how the client was restored to care and regained hope for the future. (In Spanish with English subtitles)
Expanding Access & Improving Retention in HIV Care: The SPECTRuM Project Implementation Manual
Although current medical treatments have improved health outcomes for people living with HIV infection, for some, engagement and retention in health care and adherence to antiretroviral treatment is a challenge. In 2011, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, undertook the ‘Strategic Peer-Enhanced Care and Retention Model’ or SPECTRuM project. The project utilizes a multidisciplinary team approach including peers, nurses, and other clinical providers to enhance prompt linkage to care, intensively support retention in care, and improve adherence to prescribed treatments. This manual describes the service approaches and lessons learned from the initiative, and includes many of the assessment tools and direct care resources used throughout the project. Examples of successful interventions are provided in a variety of settings, from large, urban hospitals, to neighborhood-based community health centers. The interventions described are suitable for medical organizations, within and outside of Massachusetts. These approaches can be applied to work with diverse patient populations, including newly diagnosed individuals, hard-to-reach clients with multiple comorbidities, immigrant and refugee populations, individuals recently released from correctional facilities, persons with lower health literacy, and those with limited experience navigating the health care system.
Componentes Esenciales para la Capacitación y Éxito de los Trabajadores Pares (Peers)
English Curriculum.
Una herramienta para capacitar pares/peers con VIH para involucrar a las personas viviendo con VIH o SIDA a entrar o seguir con su cuidado médico
Propósito de esta Herramienta: Apoyar la capacitación de pares/peers viviendo con el VIH para involucrar y retener personas viviendo con el VIH en cuidado médico.
Audiencia: Capacitadores con experiencia y organizaciones de capacitación que pueden usar esta herramienta para crear, mejorar, o refinar su capacitación de pares/peers.
Otros Usos: Supervisores de pares o directores de programas pueden utilizar esta herramienta para planificar una capacitación de pares/peers recientemente contratados o para proveer educación continua a pares/peers que ya están trabajando.
English: Building Blocks to Peer Success
Esta herramienta está dividida en categorías generales para facilitar el acceso a una gran cantidad de información presentada. Los módulos individuales están organizados para poderlos facilitar individualmente e incluyen instrucciones detalladas como el tiempo, materiales, y preparación necesaria para cada modulo.