Managed Problem Solving for ART Adherence and HIV Care Retention Delivered by Community Health Workers

Description

The Managed Problem Solving (MAPS) behavioral intervention is an EBP for behavior change in people living with HIV (PLWH). The investigators propose that MAPS can be delivered by trained Community Health Workers (CHWs). The use of CHWs to deliver MAPS is justified by their ability to develop trusting relationships with their clients and the need for task shifting in busy clinics. In order to also address retention in care, the investigators will adapt MAPS to also focus on problem solving activities tailored toward retention in care (now termed MAPS+). CHWs will be located in clinics to implement MAPS+ to improve viral suppression and care retention in PLWH. Data-to-care allows for identification of people who are lost to care and link these patients back to care. Currently, medication adherence and retention in HIV care are not targeted in data-to-care so the investigators will build on this approach to facilitate the identification of PLWH who are out of care and not virally suppressed to offer them MAPS+. The set of implementation strategies include task-shifting the delivery of MAPS+ to CHWs, providing the CHWs training and ongoing support, and increasing communication between the CHWs and medical care team via standardized protocols. The investigators will conduct a hybrid type II effectiveness-implementation trial with a stepped-wedge cluster randomized design in 12 clinics to test MAPS+ compared to usual care using a set of implementation strategies that will best support implementation. Each clinic will be randomized to one of three implementation start times. Baseline (usual care) data will be collected from each clinic for 6 months, followed by MAPS+ and the package of implementation strategies for 12 months, in three cohorts of 4 clinics each. Aim 1 will test the effectiveness of MAPS+ on clinical effectiveness outcomes, including viral suppression (primary) and retention (secondary). Aim 2 will examine the effect of the package of implementation strategies on reach. Implementation cost will also be measured. Aim 3 will apply a qualitative approach to understand processes, mechanisms, and sustainment of the implementation approach. The results will guide future efforts to implement behavioral EBPs across the HIV care continuum, consistent with the "treat" pillar of EHE, and move the science of implementation services, consistent with NIH strategic priorities.

Conditions

HIV/AIDS

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The Managed Problem Solving (MAPS) behavioral intervention is an EBP for behavior change in people living with HIV (PLWH). The investigators propose that MAPS can be delivered by trained Community Health Workers (CHWs). The use of CHWs to deliver MAPS is justified by their ability to develop trusting relationships with their clients and the need for task shifting in busy clinics. In order to also address retention in care, the investigators will adapt MAPS to also focus on problem solving activities tailored toward retention in care (now termed MAPS+). CHWs will be located in clinics to implement MAPS+ to improve viral suppression and care retention in PLWH. Data-to-care allows for identification of people who are lost to care and link these patients back to care. Currently, medication adherence and retention in HIV care are not targeted in data-to-care so the investigators will build on this approach to facilitate the identification of PLWH who are out of care and not virally suppressed to offer them MAPS+. The set of implementation strategies include task-shifting the delivery of MAPS+ to CHWs, providing the CHWs training and ongoing support, and increasing communication between the CHWs and medical care team via standardized protocols. The investigators will conduct a hybrid type II effectiveness-implementation trial with a stepped-wedge cluster randomized design in 12 clinics to test MAPS+ compared to usual care using a set of implementation strategies that will best support implementation. Each clinic will be randomized to one of three implementation start times. Baseline (usual care) data will be collected from each clinic for 6 months, followed by MAPS+ and the package of implementation strategies for 12 months, in three cohorts of 4 clinics each. Aim 1 will test the effectiveness of MAPS+ on clinical effectiveness outcomes, including viral suppression (primary) and retention (secondary). Aim 2 will examine the effect of the package of implementation strategies on reach. Implementation cost will also be measured. Aim 3 will apply a qualitative approach to understand processes, mechanisms, and sustainment of the implementation approach. The results will guide future efforts to implement behavioral EBPs across the HIV care continuum, consistent with the "treat" pillar of EHE, and move the science of implementation services, consistent with NIH strategic priorities.

Managed Problem Solving for ART Adherence and HIV Care Retention Delivered by Community Health Workers: A Stepped Wedge Hybrid Type II Effectiveness Implementation Trial

Managed Problem Solving for ART Adherence and HIV Care Retention Delivered by Community Health Workers

Condition
HIV/AIDS
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Camden

Cooper Early Intervention Program and Infectious Diseases, Camden, New Jersey, United States, 08103

Philadelphia

The Drexel Partnership Comprehensive Care Practice, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19102

Philadelphia

MacGregor Infectious Diseases Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104

Philadelphia

Penn Presbyterian Medical Center Infectious Diseases Specialty Clinic at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104

Philadelphia

Jefferson HIV Ambulatory Care Program, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19107

Philadelphia

Philadelphia FIGHT, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19107

Philadelphia

PHMC Care Clinic, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19123

Philadelphia

Temple Comprehensive HIV Program, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19140

Philadelphia

Einstein Immunodeficiency Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19141

Philadelphia

Mazzoni Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19147

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * age 18 or older
  • * a man or woman living with HIV
  • * not retained in care and/or virally suppressed in year prior to trial initiation

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Pennsylvania,

Study Record Dates

2025-06