228288 Addressing HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis in high-risk populations through a Program Collaboration and Service Integration (PCSI) Workgroup

Monday, November 8, 2010

Marcelo Fernandez-Viņa, MPH , Division of Disease Control, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA
Caroline Johnson, MD , Division of Disease Control, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA
M. Ann Ricksecker, MPH , Health Federation of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Debra L. D'Alessandro, MPH , Pennsylvania/MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center, Health Federation of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Marla Gold, MD , School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Background: Program collaboration and service integration (PCSI) is a major area of interest in terms of improving efficiency, flexibility, communication, effectiveness, and accountability across infectious disease programs. HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis programs are of particular interest, given the overlap in risk factors and target populations for these diseases. To better address and serve high-risk populations, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) Division of Disease Control (DDC) established a PCSI workgroup in May 2008. Objective: To establish a workgroup and assess the status of integration between HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis programs, to understand how this level of integration was achieved, to identify key stakeholders and necessary components to successful integration, to facilitate integration through communication and meetings, and to develop methods to sustain integration. Methods: Quarterly workgroup meetings were held to discuss PCSI, create feasible goals, report progress, and address barriers. Structured key informant interviews with HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis program staff were conducted to assess how these programs were integrating. Results: Assessments revealed a higher degree of PCSI than anticipated. Action steps, barriers, and key players were identified. Necessary components to a sustained integration effort were identified, particularly the importance of creating buy-in among workgroup members and commitment to establishing a formal operational structure. Conclusion: HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis programs at PDPH identified opportunities for further program collaboration and integration that could improve patient access to services and create a more efficient and comprehensive public health system.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Public health administration or related administration
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines

Learning Objectives:
1.Identify key stakeholders and necessary components to successful program integration. 2.Describe the process of establishing an integration workgroup and assessing the status of integration between HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis programs. 3.Discuss goals, objectives, benefits, and barriers to program collaboration and service integration. 4.Identify common risk factors and target populations between HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis programs.

Keywords: Collaboration, Infectious Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I am the Adult Viral Hepatitis Prevention Coordinator at the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH), and am a key member of our Program Collaboration and Service Integration (PCSI) Workgroup. I have played an important role in our local PCSI initiative and thus will be presenting on the initiative and representing PDPH.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

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.