Background: Individuals with HIV disease require both ongoing medical care and support services designed to ensure access to medical care. The Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act (RWCA) provides not only essential medical care but also ancillary support services (e.g. case management, transportation). We analyzed the association between these ancillary services and a client’s receipt of medical care and retention in the health care system. Methods: Medical service utilization trends from 1997-1998 were identified among RWCA clients in California who needed ancillary services. A client’s need for ancillary services was partly determined by a questionnaire. These clients (n=391) were categorized into people who received a high number of ancillary services and people who received no or few ancillary services. We compared the mean number of medical care visits over the two-year study period for the two groups of clients. Logistic regression, with receipt of medical care every six months as the dichotomous dependent variable, measured retention in the health care system. Independent variables included client demographics and ancillary service visits. Results: The mean number of medical care visits (13.41) was higher for the group having a large number of ancillary services when compared to the group with few or no ancillary services (8.26; p < .001). This relationship held true when controlling for demographic variables. Also, the only variable significantly associated with a client’s likelihood of being retained was receipt of ancillary services (CI 1.19–1.34; p < .01).
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to discuss the impact of ancillary support services on a HIV/AIDS patient's receipt of primary medical care
Keywords: Access and Services, Access to Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.