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Teresa Scheid, PhD, Department of Sociology & Anthropology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223-0001, (704) 687-4297, tlscheid@email.uncc.edu
Issues: Individuals living with HIV disease often have great difficulty adhering to drug treatment regimes for a variety of well known reasons. In order to improve treatment adherence clients were referred to a specialized adherence counselor for intensive adherence counseling and education.
Description: Instruments were developed which integrated research tools into on-going clinical assessments. The adherence counselors and the first author meet on a monthly basis to develop strategies to improve adherence. Fifty clients with histories of non-adherence were referred to three counselors and data was collected at three month intervals for one year.
Lessons Learned: Adherence counselors worked intensively with clients and were able to obtain improved treatment adherence in over 75 percent of the clients they worked with. The strategies used by adherence counselors are described, and the factors which contribute to treatment success are analyzed.
Recommendations: There is a need for long term follow up to improve adherence. Ultimately adherence counseling was successful as adherence counselors provided clients with additional social support. Adherence counseling is critical to HIV disease management, and should be integrated into treatment protocols.
Learning Objectives: At the conclustion of the session, participants will be able to
Keywords: Treatment Adherence, HIV Interventions
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.