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Abstract
Identifying psychosocial impediments to adherence: The first step in treatment education
C J Finlon
Center for Special Studies, NY Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, United States
Issues: Adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is essential to successful treatment of HIV. Social, economic and interpersonal factors can affect adherence in a wide variety of ways. Treatment education programs and clinical support can address adherence problems better when impediments are identified early.
Description: The first step of the Center for Special Studies' HIV/AIDS Training Course, our interdisciplinary medical clinic's treatment education program is a psychosocial assessment. The assessment tool consists of 20 multiple choice, yes/no and open-ended questions that focus on five areas of patients' lives thought to influence treatment adherence: access to basic services, previous treatment experiences, beliefs about HIV, quality of support networks and the individual's mental status. The assessment becomes part of the patient's chart, and can be referred to by all members of the treatment team.
Lessons Learned: When unstable living conditions, inadequate support and health beliefs that conflict with treatment goals are identified before treatment begins, the patient and treatment team are better able to address the impediments before they contribute to treatment failure. In addition to producing a unique picture of each patient's adherence challenges, the assessment process reinforces the collaborative relationship between patient and provider and educates patients about lifestyle factors that can contribute to or hinder adherence. A uniformly formatted, written assessment in the patient's chart allows all team members to more easily identify possible problems.
Recommendations: An assessment of psychosocial factors related to adherence should be a standard part of interdisciplinary HIV care. The development of such an assessment should include input from all disciplines involved in the patient's care.
The XV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
TuPeD5197
Suggested Citation
" C J Finlon ,
Identifying psychosocial impediments to adherence: The first step in treatment education.
Poster Exhibition:
The XV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
TuPeD5197"
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