In Los Angeles County, the differences between perceived service needs and service utilization were investigated among clients receiving Ryan White CARE Act services in 2000. A sample of clients completed the self-administered Ryan White CARE Act survey. The survey is conducted annually by the Los Angeles County Office of AIDS Programs and Policy (OAPP); and is designed to help determine annual service needs and assist priority setting by the local planning council. A total of 1,246 surveys from 69 programs were returned and analyzed. A gap analysis was conducted to determine the differences between the perceived needs and service utilization of clients accessing Ryan White CARE Act services.
Results indicated that there are gaps between the perceived needs and service utilization among the surveyed clients. For example, 62% of the clients perceived dental services to be essential or important, but only 34% of the surveyed clients used these services. Further investigation of the 18,529 unduplicated Ryan White Title I clients revealed even a smaller percentage of clients utilizing dental services (16%). These gaps between the clients' perceived service needs and their service utilization need further examination. More comprehensive studies utilizing additional sources of information will shed further light on these gaps. Bridging the gaps will result in improved access to services for clients living with HIV/AIDS accessing Ryan White CARE Act services; and can be an important indicator in assessing met and unmet needs in Los Angeles County.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Ryan White,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.