Fenway Community Health (FCH) conducted an evaluation study to examine the relationship between the use of ancillary services and retention in primary care among its clients with HIV. Variables examined included client demographic characteristics, clinical indicators, and needs for and utilization of ancillary services. Ancillary services studied included mental health services, case management, HIV drug assistance program, nutrition counseling, complementary therapies, substance abuse treatment, housing, transportation, translation, and legal services. Clients' needs for these services were assessed by medical social workers. Approximately one thousand clients were in the sample. The HIV positive clients served at FCH are primarily men who have sex with other men with an average age of forty years old. About one-third of these clients received CARE Act-funded services during the two-year study period. The study revealed that a higher proportion of clients who received CARE Act funding utilized ancillary services than clients with private insurance. Clients who received most types of ancillary services were more likely to have a higher number of annualized primary care visits than clients who did not utilize these services; exceptions were translation, legal services, and substance abuse treatment. The ancillary services with the greatest impact were case management, mental health, and nutrition counseling. Clients who accessed these services were found more likely to meet the FCH standard of care for HIV patients. In addition, clients with higher number of primary care visits are more likely to show increases in their CD4 counts and decrease in their viral load levels.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this panel session, the particpant will be able to:
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Primary Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Fenway Community Health, Boston, Massachusetts
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.