Role of the HIV/AIDS case manager: analysis of a case management adherence training and coordination program in North Carolina

Medication adherence in rheumatoid arthritis: implications for cardiovascular disease risk and strategies to address in U.S. veterans

INTRODUCTION

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and premature mortality. The risk of CVD is closely associated with RA disease activity, and achieving RA remission using disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can significantly mitigate this risk. However, despite the availability of highly effective DMARDs, many veterans fail to achieve sustained RA remission.

AREAS COVERED

We will discuss DMARD adherence in U.S. veterans with RA as it relates to RA disease activity and CVD risk, describe factors associated with DMARD non-adherence in individuals with RA, and discuss intervention strategies to improve DMARD adherence. For this review, the authors performed an extensive literature search using Embase, PubMed, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Duke University library resources.

EXPERT OPINION

Barriers to DMARD adherence in veterans with RA are multifactorial and include patient-related factors, systemic barriers, and suboptimal adherence screening practices. Additional research is needed to create validated screening tools for DMARD adherence, train rheumatology providers on how to assess DMARD adherence, develop effective interventions to promote veteran self-efficacy in DMARD management, and to learn how to sustainably utilize multidisciplinary resources to support DMARD adherence in veterans with RA.

Burnout Among Service Providers for People Living with HIV: Factors Related to Coping and Resilience

Individuals who provide services for people living with HIV (PLWH) face numerous work-related challenges, including psychosocial and structural factors affecting the quality of care that they provide. Little is known about the factors that relate to burnout among service providers for PLWH. The current study seeks to examine the factors associated with burnout and the role of resilience and coping in the context of burnout. Via convenience sampling, data was collected from 28 professionals (e.g., peer counselors, HIV testers, case managers/case workers, group facilitators, or social workers) serving PLWH in the USA. Participants completed quantitative measures on sociodemographics, organizational factors, discrimination, trauma, depression, and burnout. A sub-sample of 19 participants provided in-depth qualitative data via semi-structured interviews on burnout, coping, and resilience as a buffer against the effects of burnout. Thematic content analysis revealed themes on the factors related to burnout (e.g., discrimination, limited financial and housing resources, and COVID-19), rejuvenating factors, coping with burnout, and intervention strategies. Additionally, Pearson's product moment correlations revealed significant associations between mental health variables such as depressive and posttraumatic stress disorder symptomology with (a) discrimination and microaggressions and (b) burnout. The current study highlights challenges to providing HIV care, including structural barriers and discrimination that are doubly impactful to the professionals in this sample who share identities with the PLWH whom they serve. These findings may inform the development of an intervention targeting burnout among individuals providing services to PLWH and motivate change to remove structural barriers and improve quality of care for PLWH.

Impact of training and case manager support for traditional birth attendants in the linkage of care among HIV-positive pregnant women in Southwest Nigeria: a 3-arm cluster randomized control trial

BACKGROUND

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) accounts for 90% of all new paediatric HIV infections in Nigeria and for approximately 30% of the global burden. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a training model that incorporated case managers working closely with traditional birth attendants (TBAs) to ensure linkage to care for HIV-positive pregnant women.

METHODS

This study was a 3-arm parallel design cluster randomized controlled trial in Ifo and Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. The study employed a random sampling technique to allocate three distinct TBA associations as clusters. Cluster 1 received training exclusively; Cluster 2 underwent training in addition to the utilization of case managers, and Cluster 3 served as a control group. In total, 240 TBAs were enrolled in the study, with 80 participants in each of the intervention and control groups. and were followed up for a duration of 6 months. We employed a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical test to evaluate the differences between baseline and endline HIV knowledge scores and PMTCT practices. Additionally, bivariate analysis using the chi-square test was used to investigate linkage to care. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify TBA characteristics associated with various PMTCT interventions, including the receipt of HIV test results and repeat testing at term for HIV-negative pregnant women. The data analysis was performed using Stata version 16.1.877, and we considered results statistically significant when p values were less than 0.05.

RESULTS

At the end of this study, there were improvements in the TBAs' HIV and PMTCT-related knowledge within the intervention groups, however, it did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). The referral of pregnant clients for HIV testing was highest (93.5%) within cluster 2 TBAs, who received both PMTCT training and case manager support (p ≤ 0.001). The likelihood of HIV-negative pregnant women at term repeating an HIV test was approximately 4.1 times higher when referred by TBAs in cluster 1 (AOR = 4.14; 95% CI [2.82-5.99]) compared to those in the control group and 1.9 times in cluster 2 (AOR = 1.93; 95% CI [1.3-2.89]) compared to the control group. Additionally, older TBAs (OR = 1.62; 95% CI [1.26-2.1]) and TBAs with more years of experience in their practice (OR = 1.45; 95% CI [1.09-1.93]) were more likely to encourage retesting among HIV-negative women at term.

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of case managers and PMTCT training was more effective than training alone for TBAs in facilitating the linkage to care of HIV-positive pregnant women, although this effect did not reach statistical significance. Larger-scale studies to further investigate the benefits of case manager support in facilitating the linkage to care for PMTCT of HIV are recommended.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was retrospectively registered in the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry, and it was assigned the unique identification number PACTR202206622552114.

Health Care Needs Among People Living with HIV: The Implication of Continuum of Care

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus remains a major public health problem in Indonesia. People living with HIV (PLWH) have various health problems as result from disease progression that impacts their health care needs. This study aims to explore health care needs and to test the factors associated with health care needs among people living with HIV.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive study design was undertaken with 243 respondents completing a self-reported HIV-Health Care Need Questionnaire. Participants were recruited using the purposive sampling technique from six HIV clinics in West Java, Indonesia. The data were analyzed using descriptive and multiple logistic regression statistical techniques.

Results

The majority of the subjects were diagnosed within less than 5 years and have been receiving antiretroviral therapy. Nursing care was indicated as the most needed, offered, and received care. Emergency financial assistance, legal services, insurance premiums, and nutritional intervention were perceived as gaps between needed and received. Characteristics such as age, educational background, having HIV manager, and income were significantly correlated to nutritional care (p< 0.05). Nutritional care was increased by 3.96% if PLWH having HIV manager (CI: 1.17-13.38, p< 0.05).

Conclusion

Addressing the gap between health care needs and health offered was important to ensure that care was received appropriately. Continuing assessment of health care needs can provide direction to deliver appropriate care and ensure a comprehensive continuum of care for PLWH.

Implementation and evaluation of patient navigation in Chicago: Insights on addressing the social determinants of health and integrating HIV prevention and care services

Patient navigation is a primary element in linkage to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care and linkage to or re-engagement in HIV care, depending on the HIV status of the individual. However, there is a dearth of literature describing navigation services in these areas. In the context of Chicago Project PrIDE, this project conducted process and implementation evaluations with eight agencies leading demonstration projects to address these gaps. The evaluation team conducted semi-structured, individual interviews with agency staff (N = 20) assessing navigation implementation and fit, as well as project successes and challenges. Additionally, agency staff collected patient surveys (N = 300) assessing services provided, service quality, and satisfaction. The interview transcripts were coded and analyzed thematically and descriptive analyses were performed on the survey data. Analyses indicated that screening for social determinants of health, providing healthcare engagement guidance, and providing service referrals were frequently cited navigation activities. Most staff members indicated that navigation fits well within their agencies, and that limited staff and clinic capacity were often barriers to navigation. Patient navigation to support engagement in HIV prevention and care services is critical due to the extensive support provided by navigators to address social determinants of health impacting HIV disparity populations.

Determinants of loss to follow-up among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy in Nigeria

Background: Considerable success has been recorded in the global fight against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Retention in care is the key to the attainment of set goals in the fight against the disease. We aim to determine the factors associated with loss to follow-up (LTFU) among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a limited resource setting.Method: This was a retrospective cohort study that included adult patients who accessed ART at the study site between January 2005 and October 2018. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to obtain adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of independent determinants of LTFU.Results: Of the 8 679 patients included in the study, 3 716 (43%) were males, 4 009 (46%) were enrolled during the years 2005 to 2008, 8 421 (97%) spent less than two hours travelling from their residence to the treatment centre, and 3 523 (41%) had their first-line ART regimen changed. Among the characteristics that determine LTFU were male patients (OR = 1.167, 95% CI: 1.071-1.272), and World Health Organization clinical stage 3 (OR = 2.091, 95% CI: 1.485-2.944).Conclusion: In our study, male gender, enrolment year 2005 to 2008, no change in first-line ART and nevirapine-based therapy were more likely to be associated with LTFU.

Exploring the roles, functions, and background of patient navigators and case managers: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Patient navigators and case managers are health care workers who aim to provide individualized assistance to patients facing significant health concerns. Although these roles emerged from distinct historical need, the terms are often used interchangeably in the literature and are described to have overlapping functions. Differences in the way that these roles are conceptualized across countries has led to a lack of clarity regarding the exact functions that each offer to patients, caregivers, and the health care system.

OBJECTIVES

To differentiate the functions and backgrounds of patient navigators and case managers across settings and disease contexts.

DESIGN

This review was guided based on the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews using a five-step review process: identify the research questions; search and identify relevant studies; select studies based on a priori criterion; chart the data; and collate, summarize and report the results.

DATA SOURCES

A search of the literature was undertaken in peer-reviewed databases (Medline, CINAHL, and PubMed) and the grey literature (Google and unpublished articles in online repositories).

REVIEW METHODS

Extracted data included information on patient navigators and/or case managers related to their reported background, training, and/or knowledge; roles and/or specific functions; clinical setting; and targeted condition or disease type.

RESULTS

The search strategy resulted in 10,523 articles. After applying the eligibility criteria during title and abstract evaluation, 468 full-text articles were reviewed, resulting in a total of 160 articles. Functions of patient navigators and case managers were organized into nine emerging categories: (1) advocacy; (2) care coordination; (3) case monitoring and patient needs assessment; (4) community engagement; (5) education; (6) administration and research activities; (7) psychosocial support; (8) navigation of services; and (9) reduction of barriers. The background and knowledge areas of each role were compared and contrasted, and three categories related to the practice context of each role were identified: (1) typical setting and care trajectory; (2) target patient population; and (3) mode of service delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study identified important differences in the functions between patient navigators and case managers. However, there remains significant ambiguity between the functions of these two roles. Standardized definitions detailing scope of practice, and allowing for inherent flexibility across different settings, are needed to improve service delivery.

Depression, ART Adherence, and Receipt of Case Management Services by Adults with HIV in North Carolina, Medical Monitoring Project, 2009-2013

Depression among persons with HIV is associated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) interruption and discontinuation, virological failure, and poor clinical and survival outcomes. Case management services can address needs for emotional counseling and other supportive services to facilitate HIV care engagement. Using 2009-2013 North Carolina Medical Monitoring Project data from 910 persons engaged in HIV care, we estimated associations of case management utilization with "probable current depression" and with 100% ART dose adherence. After weighting, 53.2% of patients reported receiving case management, 21.7% reported depression, and 87.0% reported ART adherence. Depression prevalence was higher among those reporting case management (24.9%) than among other patients (17.6%) (p < 0.01). Case management was associated with depression among patients living above the poverty level [adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR), 2.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25-3.36], and not among other patients (aPR, 1.01; 95% CI 0.72-1.43). Receipt of case management was not associated with ART adherence (aPR, 1.00; 95% CI 0.95-1.05). Our analysis indicates a need for more effective depression treatment, even among persons receiving case management services. Self-reported ART adherence was high overall, though lower among persons experiencing depression (unadjusted prevalence ratio, 0.92; 95% CI 0.86-0.99). Optimal HIV clinical and prevention outcomes require addressing psychological wellbeing, monitoring of ART adherence, and effective case management services.

The association between combination antiretroviral adherence and AIDS-defining conditions at HIV diagnosis

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has changed the clinical course of HIV. AIDS-defining conditions (ADC) are suggestive of severe or advanced disease and are a leading cause of HIV-related hospitalizations and death among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in the USA. Optimal adherence to cART can mitigate the impact of ADC and disease severity on the health and survivability of PLWHA. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between ADC at HIV diagnosis and optimal adherence among PLWHA. Using data from the 2008 and 2009 Medicaid data from 29 states, we identified individuals, between 18 and 49 years, recently infected with HIV and with a cART prescription. Frequencies and descriptive statistics were conducted to characterize sample. Univariate and multivariable Poisson regression analyses were employed to evaluate the association optimal cART adherence (defined as ≥ 95% study days covered by cART) and ADC at HIV diagnosis (≥1 ADC) were assessed. Approximately 17% of respondents with ADC at HIV diagnosis reported optimal cART adherence. After adjusting for covariates, respondents with an ADC at HIV diagnosis were less likely to report optimal cART adherence (adjusted prevalence ratio (APR) = 0.64, 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.54-0.75). Among the covariates, males (APR=1.10, 95% CI, 1.02-1.19) compared to females were significantly more likely to report optimal adherence while younger respondents, 18-29 years (APR=0.67, 95% CI, 0.57-0.77), 30-39 years (APR=0.86, 95% CI, 0.79-0.95) compared to older respondents were significantly less likely to report optimal adherence. PLWHA with ADC at HIV diagnosis are at risk of suboptimal cART adherence. Multiple adherence strategies that include healthcare providers, case managers, and peer navigators should be utilized to improve cART adherence and optimize health outcomes among PLWHA with ADC at HIV diagnosis. Targeted adherence programs and services are required to address suboptimal adherence in this population.

Case management interventions for HIV-infected individuals

Engagement of HIV-positive persons into care and achieving optimal antiretroviral treatment outcomes is a fundamental HIV prevention strategy. Case management model was recommended as a beneficial model of care for patients with a new HIV diagnosis, focusing on individuals with unmet needs, and linking them with the coordinated health and social services to achieve desired outcomes. HIV case management is population-driven and programs are designed to respond to the unique needs of the client population they serve, such as substance users, homeless, youth, and prison inmates. This view found 28 studies addressing effectiveness and impacts of case management intervention for people living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS. Effectiveness of case management intervention was categorized as follows: decreased mortality and improve health outcomes, linkage to and retention in care, decreased unmet needs, and reducing risky behaviors.

The role of jails in engaging PLWHA in care: from jail to community

HIV testing in jails has provided public health officials with the opportunity to not only identify new cases of HIV but to also reestablish contact with previously diagnosed individuals, many of whom never entered care following diagnosis or entered care but then dropped out. The presence of inmates throughout the HIV/AIDS continuum of care suggests that jails can play a strategic role in engaging persons living with HIV and AIDS in care. In order to be successful in structuring HIV/AIDS programs in jails, health care and correctional officials will be well-served to: (1) understand the HIV/AIDS continuum of care from the standpoint of engagement interventions that promote participation; (2) be aware of jail, community, and prison interventions that promote engagement in care; (3) anticipate and plan for the unique barriers jails provide in implementing engagement interventions; and, (4) be creative in designing engagement interventions suitable for both newly and previously diagnosed individuals.

The feasibility of an intensive case management program for injection drug users on antiretroviral therapy in St. Petersburg, Russia

Background

The majority of HIV-infected individuals requiring antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Russia are Injection Drug Users (IDU). Substitution therapy used as part of a comprehensive harm reduction program is unavailable in Russia. Past data shows that only 16% of IDU receiving substance abuse treatment completed the course without relapse, and only 40% of IDU on ART remained on treatment at 6 months. Our goal was to determine if it was feasible to improve these historic outcomes by adding intensive case management (ICM) to the substance abuse and ART treatment programs for IDU.

Methods

IDU starting ART and able to involve a “supporter” who would assist in their treatment plan were enrolled. ICM included opiate detoxification, bi-monthly contact and counseling with the case, weekly group sessions, monthly contact with the “supporter” and home visits as needed. Full follow- up (FFU) was 8 months. Stata v10 (College Station, TX) was used for all analysis. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all baseline demographic variables, baseline and follow-up CD4 count, and viral load. Median baseline and follow-up CD4 counts and RNA levels were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The proportion of participants with RNA < 1000 copies mL at baseline and follow-up was compared using Fisher’s Exact test. McNemar’s test for paired proportions was used to compare the change in proportion of participants with RNA < 1000 copies mL from baseline to follow-up.

Results

Between November 2007 and December 2008, 60 IDU were enrolled. 34 (56.7%) were male. 54/60 (90.0%) remained in FFU. Overall, 31/60 (52%) were active IDU at enrollment and 27 (45%) were active at their last follow-up visit. 40/60 (66.7%) attended all of their ART clinic visits, 13/60 (21.7%) missed one or more visit but remained on ART, and 7/60 (11.7%) stopped ART before the end of FFU. Overall, 39/53 (74%) had a final 6–8 month HIV RNA viral load (VL) < 1000 copies/mL.

Conclusions

Despite no substitution therapy to assist IDU in substance abuse and ART treatment programs, ICM was feasible, and the retention and adherence of IDU on ART in St. Petersburg could be greatly enhanced by adding ICM to the existing treatment programs.

HIV case manager preparedness for practice in Ryan White CARE Act funded settings

While current research on the factors affecting the HIV epidemic within the general population has considered the role of HIV case managers, much remains to be known about case management effectiveness and how it might be enhanced. This article presents the data from a statewide survey of case management professionals in Florida. The study focused on case managers' preparation for practice and barriers to successful practice. The study results reflect a very broad educational preparation in multiple disciplines with highly varied means of case manager training and orientation at entry to practice. Further, the results highlighted the existence of multiple barriers that challenge the ability of case managers to cope with the demands of case management practice in sites serving people living with HIV/AIDS who are socially and economically challenged. The article concludes with recommendations for changes in the system that would enhance the preparation of case management professionals for entry to practice.

Development of a prototype continuity of care record with context-specific links to meet the information needs of case managers for persons living with HIV

OBJECTIVES

(1) To develop a prototype Continuity of Care Record (CCR) with context-specific links to electronic HIV information resources; and (2) to assess case managers' perceptions regarding the usability of the prototype.

METHODS

We integrated context-specific links to HIV case management information resources into a prototype CCR using the Infobutton Manager and Librarian Infobutton Tailoring Environment (LITE). Case managers (N=9) completed a think-aloud protocol and the Computer System Usability Questionnaire (CSUQ) to evaluate the usability of the prototype. Verbalizations from the think-aloud protocol were summarized using thematic analysis. CSUQ data were analyzed with descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Although participants expressed positive comments regarding the usability of the prototype, the think-aloud protocol also identified the need for improvement in resource labels and for additional resources. On a scale ranging from 1 (strongly agree) to 7 (strongly disagree), the average CSUQ overall satisfaction was 2.25 indicating that users (n=9) were generally satisfied with the system. Mean CSUQ factor scores were: System Usefulness (M=2.13), Information Quality (M=2.46), and Interface Quality (M=2.26).

CONCLUSION

Our novel application of the Infobutton Manager and LITE in the context of case management for persons living with HIV in community-based settings resulted in a prototype CCR with infobuttons that met the majority of case managers' information needs and received relatively positive usability ratings. Findings from this study inform future integration of context-specific links into CCRs and electronic health records and support their use for meeting end-users information needs.

Testing the Technology Acceptance Model: HIV case managers' intention to use a continuity of care record with context-specific links

OBJECTIVE

To assess the applicability of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) constructs in explaining HIV case managers' behavioural intention to use a continuity of care record (CCR) with context-specific links designed to meet their information needs.

DESIGN

Data were collected from 94 case managers who provide care to persons living with HIV (PLWH) using an online survey comprising three components: (1) demographic information: age, gender, ethnicity, race, Internet usage and computer experience; (2) mock-up of CCR with context-specific links; and items related to TAM constructs. Data analysis included: principal components factor analysis (PCA), assessment of internal consistency reliability and univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

PCA extracted three factors (Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Barriers to Use), explained variance = 84.9%, Cronbach's ά = 0.69-0.91. In a linear regression model, Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Barriers to Use explained 43.6% (p < 0.001) of the variance in Behavioural Intention to use a CCR with context-specific links.

CONCLUSION

Our study contributes to the evidence base regarding TAM in health care through expanding the type of professional surveyed, study setting and Health Information Technology assessed.

Provider training and experience for people living with HIV/AIDS

BACKGROUND

The complexity of HIV/AIDS raises challenges for the effective delivery of care. It is important to ensure that the expertise and experience of care providers is of high quality. Training and experience of HIV/AIDS providers may impact not only individual patient outcomes but increasingly on health care costs as well.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review is to assess the effects of provider training and experience on people living with HIV/AIDS on the following outcomes: immunological (ie. viral load, CD4 count), medical (ie. mortality, proportion on antiretrovirals), psychosocial (ie. quality of life measures) and economic outcomes (ie health care costs).

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Dissertation Abstracts International (DAI), CINAHL, HealthStar, PsycInfo, PsycLit, Social Sciences Abstracts, and Sociological Abstracts from January 1, 1980 through May 29, 2009.  Electronic searches were performed for abstracts from major international AIDS conferences. Reference lists from pertinent articles, books and review articles were retrieved and reviewed.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials, cohort, case control, cross-sectional studies and controlled before and after designs that examined the qualifications/training and patient volume of HIV/AIDS care of providers caring for persons known to be infected with HIV/AIDS were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

At least two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Study authors were contacted for further information as required. Assessment of confounding factors was undertaken independently by two reviewers.

MAIN RESULTS

A total of four studies (one randomized controlled trial, three non- randomized studies) involving 8488 people living with HIV/AIDS were included. The main findings of this review demonstrated a trend to improved outcomes when treated by a provider with more training/expertise in HIV/AIDS care in the outpatient (clinic) setting. Due to the heterogeneity of the included studies, we could not perform a meta-analysis. We present a descriptive review of the results.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate improved medical outcomes when treated by a provider with more training/expertise in HIV/AIDS care in the outpatient (clinic) setting. Since all of these studies were conducted in North America, this does not address any issues regarding the level of training/expertise required by providers working in countries with more limited resources. Practitioners who do not consider themselves 'experts' in HIV/AIDS care and care for few of these patients need to seriously consider this review which demonstrates a trend towards worse patient outcomes when receiving care by those with low caseloads/training in HIV/AIDS care.

Perceptions of factors influencing use of an electronic record for case management of persons living with HIV

Case managers (CMs) facilitate continuity of care for persons living with HIV (PLWH) by coordination of resources and referrals to social services and medical care. The complexity of the management of HIV drives the need for more coordination, which can be achieved through the use of health information technology (HIT). However, HIT has not been well studied in the context of HIV services. The primary aim of this qualitative study was to assess CMs' perceptions regarding factors that influence acceptance and use of an electronic continuity of care record (CCR) for PLWH. Focus group methodology was used to gather perceptions from 37 CMs. Major themes related to factors for CCR adoption and use included: predisposing (system functionality and confidentiality), enabling (user training and computer access), reinforcing (work efficiency, continuity of care, information quality, and communication). Electronic CCRs have the potential to improve coordination of services and information sharing for PLWH. Careful attention must be paid to factors that predispose, enable, and reinforce use of HIT such as CCRs so that potential benefits in terms of quality and efficiency can be realized.

Implementation of antiretroviral therapy adherence interventions: a realist synthesis of evidence

AIM

This paper is a report of a synthesis of evidence on implementation of interventions to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND

Evidence on efficacy must be supplemented with evidence on how interventions were implemented in practice and on how that implementation varied across populations and settings.

DATA SOURCES

Sixty-one reports were reviewed of studies conducted in the United States of America in the period 2001 to December 2008. Fifty-two reports were included in the final analysis: 37 reporting the effects of interventions and 15 reporting intervention feasibility, acceptability, or fidelity.

REVIEW METHODS

An adaptation of Pawson's realist synthesis method was used, whereby a provisional explanatory model and associated list of propositions are developed from an initial review of literature. This model is successively refined to the point at which it best explains empirical findings from the reports reviewed.

RESULTS

The final explanatory model suggests that individuals with HIV will be more likely to enroll in interventions that protect their confidentiality, to attend when scheduling is responsive to their needs, and both to attend and continue with an intervention when they develop a strong, one-to-one relationship with the intervener. Participants who have limited prior experience with antiretroviral therapy will be more likely to continue with an intervention than those who are more experienced. Dropout rates are likely to be higher when interventions are integrated into existing delivery systems than when offered as stand-alone interventions.

CONCLUSION

The explanatory model developed in this study is intended to provide guidance to clinicians and researchers on the points in the implementation chain that require strengthening.

Case management educational intervention with public health nurses: cluster randomized controlled trial

AIM

This paper is a report of a study conducted to determine the effectiveness of a community case management collaborative education intervention in terms of satisfaction, learning and performance among public health nurses.

BACKGROUND

Previous evaluation studies of case management continuing professional education often failed to demonstrate effectiveness across a range of outcomes and had methodological weaknesses such as small convenience samples and lack of control groups.

METHOD

A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted between September 2005 and February 2006. Ten health centre clusters (five control, five intervention) recruited 163 public health nurses in Taiwan to the trial. After pre-tests for baseline measurements, public health nurses in intervention centres received an educational intervention of four half-day workshops. Post-tests for both groups were conducted after the intervention. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to evaluate the effect of the intervention on target outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 161 participants completed the pre- and post-intervention measurements. This was almost a 99% response rate. Results revealed that 97% of those in the experimental group were satisfied with the programme. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in knowledge (P = 0.001), confidence in case management skills (P = 0.001), preparedness for case manager role activities (P = 0.001), self-reported frequency in using skills (P = 0.001) and role activities (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Collaboration between academic and clinical nurses is an effective strategy to prepare nurses for rapidly changing roles.

Review of continuing professional education in case management for nurses

Nineteen studies evaluating the effectiveness of continuing professional education programs in case management for nurses were reviewed. The studies were examined in terms of their educational focus and strategies, evaluative methods, and effectiveness. The programs assessed either focused on the provision of new knowledge or skills, or aimed to teach specific case management delivery models. The most appropriate program length appears to be at least 16 h. A combination of learning strategies, incorporating interactive lectures and small group discussions, are often used in case management educational programs and are associated with positive learning outcomes. The majority of these studies did not have a control group. Future evaluative studies need to incorporate larger sample sizes, a variety of evaluation methods and a control group in order to provide a valid measure of the effectiveness of continuing professional education in case management for nurses.

Assessing the need for an online decision-support tool to promote evidence-based practices of psychosocial counseling in HIV care

Psychosocial counselors have a vital and challenging role in supporting persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH/A) to better manage their disease. However, gaps in training, education, and skills limit the effectiveness of counselors' efforts. We propose that the use of a decision-support tool for counselors at the point of care can support them in their work as well as help alleviate many training and practice gaps. Decision-support tools aimed at reducing knowledge and practice gaps are used extensively to assist clinical providers at the point of care; however, there is a need for decision-support tools designed specifically for HIV/AIDS counselors. To identify requirements for such a tool, we conducted a needs assessment through interviews of 19 HIV/AIDS clinic counselors who provide 20 or more hours per week of psychosocial support to PLWH/A. The assessment explored their education and training backgrounds, the extent to which evidence-based practices are implemented, and how a decision-support tool can support counselor work practices. Qualitative analysis was organized around seven main categories: counselor characteristics, patient characteristics, barriers, definitions of key concepts, use of guidelines, client assessments, and resources. The resulting coding schemes revealed knowledge and practice gaps among the interviewees, as well as barriers and challenges of counseling. Education and training background of the counseling staff varied widely. When asked to define five key concepts related to HIV counseling, 26-47% of respondents were unable to articulate an adequate definition. Less than half of the interviewees recalled sources of guidelines used in their work and specific models of care introduced during trainings. Interviews identified environmental barriers, language and literacy, patient education, and patient communication as the most prominent challenges to counseling work. The results from this study inform the need for and development of a decision-support tool to support the training and practices of HIV/AIDS counselors.

The costs of HIV antiretroviral therapy adherence programs and impact on health care utilization

From a trial comparing interventions to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy-directly administered antiretroviral therapy (DAART) or an intensive adherence case management (IACM)-to standard of care (SOC), for HIV-infected participants at public HIV clinics in Los Angeles County, California, we examined the cost of adherence programs and associated health care utilization. We assessed differences between DAART, IACM, and SOC in the rate of hospitalizations, hospital days, and outpatient and emergency department visits during an average of 1.7 years from study enrollment, beginning November 2001. We assigned costs to health care utilization and program delivery. We calculated incremental costs of DAART or IACM v SOC, and compared those costs with savings in health care utilization among participants in the adherence programs. IACM participants experienced fewer hospital days compared with SOC (2.3 versus 6.7 days/1000 person-days, incidence rate ratio [IRR]: 0.34, 97.5% confidence interval [CI]: 0.13-0.87). DAART participants had more outpatient visits than SOC (44.2 versus 31.5/1000 person-days, IRR: 1.4; 97.5% CI: 1.01-1.95). Average per-participant health care utilization costs were $13,127, $8,988, and $14,416 for DAART, IACM, and SOC, respectively. Incremental 6-month program costs were $2,120 and $1,653 for DAART and IACM participants, respectively. Subtracting savings in health care utilization from program costs resulted in an average net program cost of $831 per DAART participant; and savings of $3,775 per IACM participant. IACM was associated with a significant decrease in hospital days compared to SOC and was cost saving when program costs were compared to savings in health care utilization.

Social support, coping, and medication adherence among HIV-positive women with depression living in rural areas of the southeastern United States

This study examined the relationships among sociodemographic factors, social support, coping, and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-positive women with depression. The analyses reported here were limited to the 224 women receiving ART of 280 women recruited from community-based HIV/AIDS organizations serving rural areas of three states in the southeastern United States. Two indicators of medication adherence were measured; self-report of missed medications and reasons for missed medications in the past month. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses were performed to systematically identify sociodemographic, coping, and social support variables that predicted medication adherence. In regression analysis, three variables were determined to be significant predictors accounting for approximately 30% of the variability in the self-report of reasons for missed medications. Coping focused on managing HIV disease was negatively associated, while coping focused on avoidance/denial and number of children were positively associated with reasons for missed medications. Coping by spiritual activities and focusing on the present mediated the effect of social support on self-reported missed medications. The relationship of predictor variables to self-report of missed medications was assessed using t test statistics and logistic regression analysis to determine the odds of self-reported medication adherence. Satisfaction with social support (p = 0.04), and coping focused on managing HIV disease (p = 0.002) were the best positive predictors, whereas number of children (p = 0.02) was the lone significant negative predictor of medication adherence. The study findings have implications for designing, implementing, and testing interventions based on social support and coping theories for achieving better adherence to HIV medications.

Appropriateness of antiretroviral therapy in clients of an HIV/AIDS case management organization

We sought to assess appropriateness of antiretroviral therapy (ART) reported by clients of an HIV/AIDS case management organization and identify variables associated with appropriate ART receipt. A total of 295 such clients were mailed a survey asking them to identify antiretroviral medications they were taking. Of them 220 (75%) returned surveys; 201 (93%) were taking antiretrovirals. Of these, 159 were on appropriate and 36 on inappropriate ART, as determined by guidelines created by the CDC, the International AIDS Society (USA Panel), and the Panel on Clinical Practices for Treatment of HIV Infection. In unadjusted analyses, age, sex, race, sexual orientation, history of injection drug use, history of sexual risk, and HIV knowledge were associated (p< or =0.10) with appropriate ART and entered into one of two logistic regression models. The first model indicated that women (p=0.003) and heterosexuals (p=0.001) were less likely to receive appropriate ART than men and gay/bisexuals (and variables interacted, p=0.001). HIV knowledge--a proxy indicator determined by self-report of a CD4 cell count and viral load--was added to variables retained in first model to create a second model. Only sexual orientation was retained in this second model (p=0.02, in the same direction as in the first model), and those with less versus more HIV knowledge (p=0.04) were found to be less likely to receive appropriate ART (and variables interacted, p=0.04). Findings suggest that heterosexual men are less likely than women who, in turn, are less likely than gay/bisexual men to receive appropriate ART. HIV-related knowledge appears to increase likelihood of receiving appropriate ART and it attenuates the effect of sex.