153143 Design and implementation of an instrument to measure the impact of program interventions on retention in primary care among hard-to-reach patients with HIV

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Howard Cabral, PhD , School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA
Carol Tobias, MMHS , Health and Disability Working Group, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Serena Rajabiun, MPH , Health and Disability Working Group, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Sharon M. Coleman, MS, MPH , Data Coordinating Center, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Rowland Yancey, MA , Health and Disability Working Group, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
Background: The effectiveness of outreach programs to retain hard-to-reach patients with HIV in primary care has yet to be comprehensively evaluated. We will present information on the design and implementation of a data collection instrument to track outreach and non-clinical staff program encounters with out-of-care patients that was developed as part of a multi-site evaluation. Methods: We systematically collected information on 1066 patients at 10 sites for over 33,000 program contacts during 12-18 months of follow-up. The purpose of the instrument was to allow for the classification and dose of the intervention provided for each patient. The information collected included the time and place of the contact, the reason for the contact, and the duration of the contact. Results: We will discuss how these data were summarized for analysis and linked longitudinally to patient interview and medical chart review data. We will present the results of an analysis relating program contact data to gaps in HIV primary care that shows that retention in such care is associated with a greater number of program contacts. Conclusions: Developing a structured data collection tool for use by program staff who are not experienced in collecting research data built capacity within community-based programs and clinics to collect data that was useful for program evaluation and planning.

Learning Objectives:
Research and clinical programs interested in assessing their performance but whose staff are not experienced in the collection and management of patient contact data will gain an understanding of the principles and practices underlying these processes.

Keywords: Outreach Programs, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.