Medication and Care Adherence Strategies to Improve Patient Adherence in Rural HIV Care Settings
Abstract
Background: Research shows that patients with HIV who receive ongoing, regularly schedule care have significantly lower viral loads, higher CD4 cell counts, and reduced morbidity and mortality than those who miss even one medical visit. Through the delivery of adherence and retention services we aim to improve patient medication adherence, achieve viral load suppression and improve adherence to care among patients in rural HIV care settings.
Methods: Through our adherence and retention services we assess barriers to care and ensure medication and care adherence. We use a variety of strategies including relationship building, patient tracking, resource navigation, and coordination with other health providers and agencies. Eligibility criteria for these services is a viral load of >200 copies/ml for adherence and completing less than two HIV care visits in each of the 6 months of the calendar for retention. We collect patients’ demographic data, viral load test results, and office visit data to determine eligibility and identify trends in patient adherence and retention.
Conclusion: Overall, our adherence and retention services performed well in achieving program goals of improving medication adherence, increasing rates of viral load suppression and improving adherence to HIV care among patients in rural HIV care settings.
Keywords
Rural HIV Care, Medication Adherence, Viral Load Suppression, and Care Adherence
Medication and Care Adherence Strategies to Improve Patient Adherence in Rural HIV Care Settings
Background: Research shows that patients with HIV who receive ongoing, regularly schedule care have significantly lower viral loads, higher CD4 cell counts, and reduced morbidity and mortality than those who miss even one medical visit. Through the delivery of adherence and retention services we aim to improve patient medication adherence, achieve viral load suppression and improve adherence to care among patients in rural HIV care settings.
Methods: Through our adherence and retention services we assess barriers to care and ensure medication and care adherence. We use a variety of strategies including relationship building, patient tracking, resource navigation, and coordination with other health providers and agencies. Eligibility criteria for these services is a viral load of >200 copies/ml for adherence and completing less than two HIV care visits in each of the 6 months of the calendar for retention. We collect patients’ demographic data, viral load test results, and office visit data to determine eligibility and identify trends in patient adherence and retention.
Conclusion: Overall, our adherence and retention services performed well in achieving program goals of improving medication adherence, increasing rates of viral load suppression and improving adherence to HIV care among patients in rural HIV care settings.
