Title | Adolescent and Adult HIV Providers' Definitions of HIV-Infected Youths' Successful Transition to Adult Care in the United States. |
Publication Type | Publication |
Year of Publication | 2017 |
Authors | Philbin MM, Tanner AE, Ma A, Chambers BD, Ware S, Kinnard EN, Hussen SA, Lee S, J Fortenberry D |
Journal | AIDS Patient Care STDS |
Volume | 31 |
Issue | 10 |
Pagination | 421-427 |
Date Published | 2017 Oct |
ISSN | 1557-7449 |
Keywords | Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Adult, Ambulatory Care Facilities, Continuity of Patient Care, Female, Health Care Surveys, Health Personnel, HIV Infections, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Male, Medication Adherence, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Patient Compliance, Transition to Adult Care, United States |
Abstract | <p>It is important for both individual- and population-level health that HIV-infected individuals progress through the Care Continuum. However, HIV-infected youth frequently disengage from care during transition from pediatric/adolescent to adult care; only 50% remain in adult care after 1 year. Understanding how providers define and approach a successful healthcare transition can improve the delivery of HIV-related services during critical years of HIV treatment. We conducted 58 staff interviews across 14 Adolescent Trials Network clinics (n = 30) and 20 adult clinics (n = 28). We used the constant comparative method to examine how providers defined and approached youths' successful transition. Providers identified four components critical to successful transition: (1) clinical outcomes (e.g., medication adherence and viral suppression); (2) youth knowing how to complete treatment-related activities (e.g., refilling prescriptions and making appointments); (3) youth taking responsibility for treatment-related activities and their overall health (e.g., "when they stop reaching out to the adolescent [clinic] to solve all their problems."); and (4) youth feeling a connection and trust toward the adult clinic (e.g., "they feel safe here"), with some providers even prioritizing connectedness over clinical outcomes (e.g., "Even if they're not taking meds but are connected [to care], …that's a success."). The identification of key components of successful transition can guide focused interventions and resources to improve youth maintenance in the HIV Care Continuum as they transition to adult care. Identifying what facilitates successful transitions, and the gaps that interventions can target, will help to ensure HIV-infected youth remain healthy across their lifespan.</p> |
DOI | 10.1089/apc.2017.0131 |
Alternate Journal | AIDS Patient Care STDS |
PubMed ID | 28981334 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC5650713 |
Grant List | K01 DA039804 / DA / NIDA NIH HHS / United States L60 MD009069 / MD / NIMHD NIH HHS / United States U01 HD040533 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States U01 HD040474 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States |