Suzanne Willard, PhD, CRNP¹, Debra Dalessandro², Susan Thompson, BS³, Susan Spencer, MS³, M. Ann Ricksecker, MPH⁴, and Bruce Flannery⁵. (1) Drexel University, 1505 Race Street, MS 501, Philadelphia, PA 19103, 215 762 1665, sw37@drexel.edu, (2) PA/MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center, 1211 Chestnut STreet, 7th flr, Philadelphia, PA 19103, (3) Health Federation of Philadelphia, PA/MA AIDS Education and Training Center, 1211 Chestnut Street, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19107, (4) PA/Mid-Atlantic AIDS ETC, Health Federation of Philadelphia, 1211 Chestnut Street, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19107, (5) Pennsylvania Coalition of AIDS Service Organizations (PCASO), 624 W. Lincoln Highway, Exton, PA 19341

ISSUES: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy for treatment of HIV infection demands unique measures to work towards improved health outcomes. Much research has been conducted to identify indicators that impact adherence. Many government grant initiatives have required formal adherence programs, and other programs have been put forth by pharmaceutical industry. However, little has been done systematically to customize programs to fit within diverse programs.

DESCRIPTION: A working group was formed with representatives from a large pharmeceutical organization, the Pennsylvania Coalition of AIDS Service Organizations (PCASO), a network of community based AIDS service programs in the state of Pennsylvania, and the staff of the Philadelphia performance site of the Pennsylvania/MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center. The mission of the AIDS ETC is to improve the quality of care of people living with HIV; this is addressed in many ways including training, program planning and development. The work group formulated recommendations to tailor an industry sponsored adherence program for adaptation to the unique needs of local clinics in Pennsylvania. Two sites were identified to pilot the program. The two sites are diverse in that one is in a large urban, city health center and the other is a program that is affiliated with a rural hospital that serves a wide geographic area. Needs assessments were conducted individually at each site to insure the flexibility of the program will meet the demands of the clinical programs.

Learning Objectives:

• The objective of this presentation is for the audience to gain skills and insight on creative measures to design programs to improve patient outcomes thru improved adherence.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.