Objectives: The objectives of the HIV/AIDS Collaboration Project were to explore if HIV prevention providers in Seattle-King County appropriately refer their HIV+ clients into care services, and if HIV care service providers discuss sex and drug use risk reduction with clients and make appropriate referrals for clients they determine to have ongoing risk-reduction needs. Methods: The assessment consisted of one-on-one interviews with 31 prevention providers and 74 care providers. Follow-up focus groups were conducted with providers and persons living with HIV/AIDS to construct solutions to collaboration barriers identified in the interview process. Results: Data uncovered demographic disparities in the gender and race/ethnicity make-up of the two provider populations, as well as differing service delivery approaches that may impact cross-system communication. Although 90% of prevention providers had referred clients to care services, only one quarter of care providers discussed sexual risk reduction with all clients and half discussed drug use risk reduction. Knowledge of cross-system referral resources was generally high, although gaps emerged among both sets of providers in several resource areas. Conclusions: The study identified successes in the inter-system resource and referral processes, and highlighted collaboration gaps between the two systems. Based on the findings of the Project, the local HIV/AIDS Planning Council implemented several key changes in the King County prevention and care continnum of services.
Learning Objectives: During this session, presenters will discuss the Seattle-King County HIV/AIDS Collaboration Project, which explored inter-system collaboration between HIV/AIDS care and prevention service programs and providers. Participants will learn about the structure and outcomes of the project and be able to replicate similar projects in their jurisdications to improve HIV/AIDS care and prevention systems.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Community Health Planning
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.