Background: Interventions to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) are critical to providing optimal care for persons with HIV; however, little is known about effective interventions. Motivational Interviewing, a counseling technique that has been effective in promoting health behavior change, has never been tested for ART adherence. Purpose: To assess qualitatively: 1) issues about HIV care salient to patients; and 2) communication processes that facilitate behavior change related to medication-taking, among 20 HIV+ patients undergoing MI. Methods: We developed a standardized MI session to empower HIV+ patients to optimize their health care, including their ART regimen. Sessions were client-centered, allowing patients to choose the session topic and using reflective listening to help them identify barriers and facilitators in their health care. We administered the MI session to a convenience sample of 20 HIV+ patients, audiotaped and transcribed them for content analysis. Results: Content analyses of 9 patients' transcripts to date revealed 67% chose to discuss medication-taking; 22% communication with their doctor; and 11% side effects. 56% of the patients, regardless of topic chosen, felt that figuring out how to take ART was a barrier to optimal health. 67% of the patients reported that social support and a regular routine helped them remain healthy. Conclusion: Two-thirds of HIV+ patients undergoing a client-centered counseling session about their health care identified medication-taking as the primary behavior that they would like to change. The majority of patients were able to develop specific strategies toward achieving this goal and found the sessions very useful.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: 1. Describe a brief motivational interviewing intervention designed to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapies. 2. Identify salient health concerns of HIV patients related to their HIV care. 3. Recognize common barriers and facilitators of the HIV patient's adherence to medications.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Adherence
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.