Context: Implementation and utilization of successful interventions affecting people living with HIV often incorporate patient advisors to assess the needs and concerns of the target population.
Objective: Create strategies for monitoring and implementing patient concerns.
Design: Two patient advisory models (individual and group) of HIV-positive patients.
Main Outcome Measures: Patient participation and inclusion of patients' suggestions.
Results: During one demonstration project encompassing 50 counties, client advisors met individually with project staff because: (1)geographic, transportation, and confidentiality barriers precluded patients from meeting in groups, and (2)the intervention at various times affected different client populations. Meetings were irregular and scheduled when new ideas were being considered for the intervention, leading to frequent changes in who participated as advisors. In another project targeting people with HIV, substance abuse and mental health problems, patients living with HIV had to have experienced substance abuse and mental health services in their past in order to participate as advisors. Advisors met regularly in formal groups. Patients were asked to provide feedback regarding research instruments, intervention start-up issues, marketing and intervention experiences.
Discussion: Patient advisors provide useful and necessary information to projects. Different interventions require different types of client advisors and meetings. Researchers and providers should understand the options for garnering patient feedback to maximize the patients' potential in supporting a successful intervention.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: (1) Describe different models for working with patients as advisors; (2) Understand the benefits and challenges of incorporating patient advisors; and (3) Identify concrete steps for organizing patient advisory groups
Keywords: Patient Perspective, HIV Interventions
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.