The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

4210.0: Tuesday, November 18, 2003 - 3:15 PM

Abstract #55442

Primary prevention for positives and the impact on quality of life: A psycho-social support approach

Antonella Iacuitti, Positive PACE Clinic, Santa Clara County Health and Hospital Systems, 2400 Moorpark Ave. Suite 316B, San Jose, CA 95128, 408 885-7565, antonella.iacuitti@hhs.co.santa-clara.ca.us

MISSION: To further support and address the issue of ongoing prevention for people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as to improve their quality of life, utilizing assessment of needs, development of a service plan, linking with services, monitoring needs and providing advocacy.

ONGOING SUCCESSES: Short-term case management is successful in taking an active and facilitative role in connecting clients with services, and the staff focuses on advice giving, information sharing, problem solving, and socialization skills, promoting an overall improvement of quality of life. The staff uses a culturally competent approach, and harm reduction theories. Resources and services are screened, community resources and a support network is utilized. Previous successes and personal strength that the clients bring are welcome and also used as a mechanism of encouragement and support.

SOME BARRIERS: There are some barriers yet to be overcome. Assessment to the client’s needs is not always fully achieved, nor are their needs always accurately identified. Some clients are hard to reach due to homelessness and/or immigration issues. There are times when referrals need to be made without prior establishment of a relationship between providers, resulting in an inaccurate reliability of the referred services. The success of the provider-client relationship is not always present either, leading to lack of adherence in case management from such clients.

CONCLUSION: In general the benefits still outnumber the barriers, and the clients have been positively responding to the provider’s approach, resulting in an improvement of the clients’ quality of life.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Primary Prevention, Access and Services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment

Linking Prevention and Care

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA