scholarly journals “Part of Getting to Where We Are is Because We Have Been Open to Change”Integrating Community Health Workers on Care Teams at Ten Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Recipient Sites

Author(s):  
Linda Sprague Martinez ◽  
Melissa Davoust ◽  
Serena Rajabiun ◽  
Allyson Baughman ◽  
Sara Bachman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Community Health Workers (CHWs) have long been integrated in the delivery of HIV care, in middle- and low-income countries. However, less is known about CHW integration into HIV care teams in the United States (US). To date, US based CHW integration studies have studies explored integration in the context of primary care and patient-centered medical homes.There is a need for research related to strategies that promote the successful integration of CHWs into HIV care delivery systems. In 2016, the Health Resources and Services Administration HIV/AIDS Bureau launched a three-year initiative to provide training, technical assistance and evaluation for Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) recipient sites to integrate CHWs into their multidisciplinary care teams, and in turn strengthen their capacity to reach communities of color and reduce HIV inequities. Methods: Ten RWHAP sites were selected from across eight states. The multi-site program evaluation included a process evaluation guided by RE-AIM to understand how the organizations integrated CHWs into their care teams. Site team members participated in group interviews to walk-the-process during early implementation and following the program period. Directed content analysis was employed to examine program implementation. Codes developed using implementation strategies outlined in the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change project were applied to group interviews (n=20). Findings: Implementation strategies most frequently described by sites were associated with organizational-level adaptations in order to integrate the CHW into the HIV care team. These included revising, defining, and differentiating professional roles and changing organizational policies. Strategies used for implementation, such as network weaving, supervision, and promoting adaptability, were second most commonly cited strategies, followed by training and TA strategies. Conclusions: Wrapped up in the implementation experience of the sites there were some underlying issues that pose challenges for health care organizations. Organizational policies and the ability to adapt proved significant in facilitating CHW implementation. The integration of the CHW role may present an occasion for health care delivery organizations to reassess policies that may unintentionally marginalize communities and both limit career opportunities and patient engagement.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Sprague Martinez ◽  
Melissa Davoust ◽  
Serena Rajabiun ◽  
Allyson Baughman ◽  
Sara S. Bachman ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Community Health Workers (CHWs) have long been integrated in the delivery of HIV care in middle- and low-income countries. However, less is known about CHW integration into HIV care teams in the United States (US). To date, US-based CHW integration studies have studies explored integration in the context of primary care and patient-centered medical homes. There is a need for research related to strategies that promote the successful integration of CHWs into HIV care delivery systems. In 2016, the Health Resources and Services Administration HIV/AIDS Bureau launched a three-year initiative to provide training, technical assistance and evaluation for Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) recipient sites to integrate CHWs into their multidisciplinary care teams, and in turn strengthen their capacity to reach communities of color and reduce HIV inequities. Methods Ten RWHAP sites were selected from across eight states. The multi-site program evaluation included a process evaluation guided by RE-AIM to understand how the organizations integrated CHWs into their care teams. Site team members participated in group interviews to walk-the-process during early implementation and following the program period. Directed content analysis was employed to examine program implementation. Codes developed using implementation strategies outlined in the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change project were applied to group interviews (n = 20). Findings Implementation strategies most frequently described by sites were associated with organizational-level adaptations in order to integrate the CHW into the HIV care team. These included revising, defining, and differentiating professional roles and changing organizational policies. Strategies used for implementation, such as network weaving, supervision, and promoting adaptability, were second most commonly cited strategies, followed by training and Technical Assistance strategies. Conclusions Wrapped up in the implementation experience of the sites there were some underlying issues that pose challenges for healthcare organizations. Organizational policies and the ability to adapt proved significant in facilitating CHW program implementation. The integration of the CHWs in the delivery of HIV care requires clearly distinguishing their role from the roles of other members of the healthcare delivery team.


2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. Doshi ◽  
J. Milberg ◽  
D. Isenberg ◽  
T. Matthews ◽  
F. Malitz ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 105 (6) ◽  
pp. 1078-1085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean R. Cahill ◽  
Kenneth H. Mayer ◽  
Stephen L. Boswell

Author(s):  
Kathleen A McManus ◽  
Karishma Srikanth ◽  
Samuel D Powers ◽  
Rebecca Dillingham ◽  
Elizabeth T Rogawski McQuade

Abstract Background While the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) supports high-quality HIV care, Medicaid enrollment provides access to non-HIV care. People living with HIV (PLWH) with Medicaid historically have low viral suppression (VS) rates. In a state with previously high Qualified Health Plan coverage of PLWH, we examined HIV outcomes by insurance status during the first year of Medicaid expansion (ME). Methods Participants were PLWH ages 18-63 who attended ≥1 HIV medical visit/year in 2018 and 2019. We estimated associations of sociodemographic characteristics with ME enrollment prevalence and associations between insurance status and engagement in care and VS. Results Among 577 patients, 151 (33%) were newly eligible for Medicaid, and 77 (51%) enrolled. Medicaid enrollment was higher for those with incomes <100% Federal Poverty Level (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.86) compared to others. Controlling for age, income, and 2018 engagement, those with employment-based private insurance (adjusted risk difference [aRD] -8.5%, 95% CI -16.9-0.1) and Medicare (aRD -12.5%, 95% CI -21.2- -3.0) had lower 2019 engagement than others. For those with VS data (n=548), after controlling for age and baseline VS, those with Medicaid (aRD -4.0%, 95% CI -10.3-0.3) and with Medicaid due to ME (aRD -6.2%, 95% CI -14.1- -0.8) were less likely to achieve VS compared with others. Conclusions Given that PLWH who newly enrolled in Medicaid had high engagement in care, the finding of lower VS is notable. The discordance may be due to medication access gaps associated with changes in medication procurement logistics.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S544-S546
Author(s):  
Kathleen A McManus ◽  
Karishma R Srikanth ◽  
Samuel D Powers ◽  
Rebecca Dillingham ◽  
Elizabeth T Rogawski McQuade

Abstract Background People living with HIV (PLWH) with Medicaid historically have lower viral suppression (VS) rates than those with other insurance. VS rates with Medicaid expansion (ME) are unknown. We examined HIV outcomes (engagement in care, VS) by insurance status for a non-urban Southeastern Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Clinic cohort for year after ME. Methods Participants were PLWH ages 18-63 who attended > 1 HIV medical visit/year in 2018 and 2019. Log-binomial models were used to estimate the association of characteristics with Medicaid enrollment prevalence and one-year risks of engagement in care and VS in 2019. Results Among 577 patients, 241 (42%) were newly eligible for Medicaid due to ME and 79 (33%) enrolled (Figure 1a). For those without Medicare, Medicaid enrollment was higher for those with incomes < 100% FPL (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.86) compared to those with incomes > 101% FPL. Those enrolled in Medicaid due to ME had 87% engagement in care compared to 80-92% for other insurance plans (Figure 1b). Controlling for 2018 engagement, older age (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] for 10 years 1.03, 95% CI 1.00-1.05; Table 1) was associated with being engaged in 2019. Engagement was lower for those with employment-based insurance (aRR 0.91, 95% CI 0.83-0.99) and Medicare (aRR 0.87, 95% CI 0.78-0.96). Of those with viral loads in 2018 and 2019 (n=549), those who newly enrolled in Medicaid due to ME had 85% VS compared to 87-99% for other insurance plans (Figure 1c). In univariate analysis, age, income, and baseline viral load status were associated with viral suppression (Table 2), and those with Medicaid due to ME (aRR 0.90, 95% CI 0.81-1.00) were less likely to achieve VS compared with others. Figure 1 Table 1 Table 2 Conclusion The low uptake of ME was likely influenced by many PLWH already having Medicare. While the RWHAP supports high quality HIV care, Medicaid enrollment improves access to non-HIV care and should be supported by RWHAP. Given that engagement in care was high for PLWH who newly enrolled in Medicaid, the finding of lower VS is surprising. The discordance may be due to medication access gaps associated with changes in pharmacy logistics. Future studies with larger cohorts will need to examine how ME contributes to PLWH’s overall health and to ending the HIV epidemic. Disclosures Kathleen A. McManus, MD, MSCR, Gilead Sciences, Inc (Research Grant or Support, Shareholder) Rebecca Dillingham, MD, MPH, Gilead Sciences, Inc (Research Grant or Support)Warm Health Technologies, Inc (Consultant)


Author(s):  
Elizabeth C Arant ◽  
Ceshae Harding ◽  
Maria Geba ◽  
Paul V Targonski ◽  
Kathleen A McManus

Abstract Background Age-related chronic conditions are becoming more concerning for people living with HIV (PLWH). We aimed to identify characteristics associated with multimorbidity and evaluate for association between multimorbidity and HIV outcomes. Methods Cohorts included PLWH aged 45-89 with >1 medical visit at one Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Southeastern HIV clinic in 2006 (Cohort 1) or 2016 (Cohort 2). Multimorbidity was defined as >2 chronic diseases. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess for associations between characteristics and multimorbidity and between multimorbidity and HIV outcomes. Results Multimorbidity increased from Cohort 1 (n=149) to Cohort 2 (n=323) (18.8% vs 29.7%, p<0.001). Private insurance was associated with less multimorbidity than Medicare (Cohort 1: adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] 0.15, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.02-0.63; Cohort 2: aOR 0.53, 95% CI 0.27-1.00). In Cohort 2, multimorbidity was associated with female gender (aOR 2.57, 95% CI 1.22-5.58). In Cohort 1, Black participants were less likely to be engaged in care compared to non-Black participants (aOR 0.72, 95% CI 0.61-0.87) Cohort 2, participants with rural residences were more likely to be engaged in care compared to those with urban residences (aOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.10-1.38). Multimorbidity was not associated with differences in HIV outcomes. Conclusions While PLWH have access to RWHAP HIV care, PLWH with private insurance had lower rates of multimorbidity, which may reflect better access to preventative non-HIV care. In 2016, multimorbidity was higher for women. The RWHAP and RWHAP Part D could invest in addressing these disparities related to insurance and gender.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (02) ◽  
pp. 385-411
Author(s):  
Atanu Chaudhuri ◽  
Venkatramanaiah Saddikutti ◽  
Thim Prætorius

iKure Techsoft was established in 2010 with the main objective to provide affordable and high quality primary health care to the rural population in India and to build a sustainable for-profit business model. To that end, iKure’s cloud based, and patent pending, Wireless Health Incident Monitoring System (WHIMS) technology along with their hub-and-spoke operating model are central, but also essential to exploit and explore further if iKure is to scale-up. iKure provides primary health care services through three hub clinics and 28 rural health centres (RHCs). Each hub clinic employs between one and up to six medical teams (each consisting of 1 doctor, 1 nurse, 1 paramedic and 2 health workers stationed at the hub) & 1 mobile medical team (1 doctor, 1 paramedic, 2 health workers) for catering to the RHCs). Each medical team manages six RHCs. Paramount in iKure’s health care delivery model is their self-developed software called WHIMS, which is a cloud-based award-winning application that runs on low internet bandwidths. WHIMS allow for (a) centralized monitoring of key metrics such as doctor’s attendance, treatment prescribed, patient record management, pharmacy stock management, and (b) supports effective communication, integration and contact that connects RHCs with hub clinics, but also city-based multi-specialty hospitals with whom iKure has formal tie-ups. iKure, moreover, also works extensively with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Collaboration with local NGOs in the target areas helps to build trust with the rural villagers and their local knowledge and access helps to assess service demand. NGOs also provide the necessary local logistical support and basic infrastructure in the rural areas where iKure works. Moreover, collaboration, for example, with corporate organizations are central as they contribute with part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds to support iKure initiatives. At present, iKure is planning to add diagnostic services to its six hub clinics as well as expand its presence in other parts of West Bengal and other states across India. Expanding rural health care services even with the technology support of WHIMS is challenging because, for example, health is a very local issue (due to, among other things, local customs and languages) and it requires investing significant amount of time and resources to build relationship with the rural people as well as collaborators such as NGOs and corporates. The accompanying case describes iKure’s journey so far in terms of understanding: (a) the state of health care and government health care services provided in rural India, (b) the establishment and evolution of the iKure business and health care model, (c) iKure’s operations and health care delivery model including the WHIMS technology solution and hub-and-spoke set-up of operations, (d) the collaborative model which relies on NGOs and private corporates, and (e) finally iKure’s challenges related to scaling-up.


2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 306-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tania M. Fitzgerald ◽  
Pam A. Williams ◽  
Julia A. Dodge ◽  
Martha Quinn ◽  
Christina L. Heminger ◽  
...  

Background: As more people enter the U.S. health care system under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), it is increasingly critical to deliver coordinated, high-quality health care. The ACA supports implementation and sustainability of efficient health care models, given expected limits in available resources. This article highlights implementation strategies to build and sustain care coordination, particularly ones consistent with and reinforced by the ACA. It focuses on disease self-management programs to improve the health of patients with type 2 diabetes, exemplified by grantees of the Alliance to Reduce Disparities in Diabetes. Method: We conducted interviews with grantee program representatives throughout their 5-year programs and conducted a qualitative framework analysis of data to identify key themes related to care coordination. Results: The most promising care coordination strategies that grantee programs described included establishing clinic–community collaborations, embedding community health workers within care management teams, and sharing electronic data. Establishing provider buy-in was crucial for these strategies to be effective. Discussion: This article adds new insights into strategies promoting effective care coordination. The strategies that grantees implemented throughout the program align with ACA requirements, underscoring their relevance to the changing U.S. health care environment and the likelihood of further support for program sustainability.


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