Impact on HIV Care Continuum Outcomes and Medication Adherence
Background
This study was conducted at the Parkland HIV Program in Dallas, Texas, an area significantly impacted by new HIV diagnoses, particularly among African American and Hispanic populations. The research focused on implementing a rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) program, known as Immediate Start of Antiretroviral Therapy (iSTAT), which aimed to reduce the time from HIV diagnosis to treatment initiation.
Challenges
- Policy and Demographic Barriers: The lack of Medicaid expansion and the high proportion of late diagnoses in the region posed significant challenges to implementing rapid ART initiation.
- Cultural and Social Barriers: Tailoring the program to a diverse patient population with varying beliefs about medical treatment that needed approaches to patient engagement and education.
Datagain’s Role
- Patient Experience Analysis: We assisted with the analysis of the interviews to gauge patient satisfaction with the ART regimen and the overall iSTAT process, providing critical insights into how the program could be refined and improved.
Recommendations for Outreach
- Enhanced Patient Navigation: To further decrease time to virologic suppression and improve patient retention, expanding patient navigation services is recommended.
Community Engagement and Education: Strengthening community outreach to raise awareness about the importance of early HIV testing and treatment, especially in populations that typically experience barriers to healthcare access.
