The RWHAP Best Practices Compilation gathers and disseminates interventions that improve outcomes along the HIV care continuum. Explore the Compilation to find inspiration and new ideas for improving the care of people with HIV. Learn more about the Best Practices Compilation and submit your innovation today for possible inclusion.
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The HIV Clinical Pharmacist Services intervention shortens the time between referral to and engagement in care by allowing newly referred clients to see pharmacists in addition to other clinical providers for their initial appointment. This intervention is supported by findings from a retrospective cohort study that took place from 2013 to 2017 at a RWHAP-funded clinic. In addition to significantly decreasing the time between referral and initial visit, clients who saw a pharmacist also experienced shortened time to antiretroviral therapy initiation and viral suppression compared to those who only saw non-pharmacist providers.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People with HIV; People with a new diagnosis of HIV
Linkage to HIV medical care; Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model; Systems/structural interventions
Oklahoma City, OK
Howard Brown Health established a specialized drop-in clinic and support groups, and implemented organizational initiatives to provide culturally relevant and gender-affirming services for transgender and non-binary people, including transgender women of color. The goal of this intervention was to optimize engagement in HIV services and primary care. From 2012-2021, the number of transgender and non-binary people served in primary care at Howard Brown Health more than tripled. In addition, after 24 months, participants were more likely to have been prescribed ART and to be virally suppressed than at baseline.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
Transgender women
Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model
Chicago, IL
Collaborative Care Management (CoCM) integrates mental health and primary care, with a care team of a primary care provider, behavioral health care manager, and psychiatric consultant. Together they provide comprehensive and coordinated care to people with HIV who have co-occurring depression or other psychiatric disorders. Four sites implemented CoCM as part of E2i, an initiative funded by the RWHAP Part F SPNS program from 2017–2021. CoCM led to statistically significant increases in antiretroviral therapy (ART) prescription and viral suppression.
Evidence-Based Intervention
People with diagnosed mental illness
Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model
Washington, DC
Baton Rouge, LA
Detroit, MI
Tulsa, OK
SBIRT is designed to screen clients for drug and alcohol use, educate clients on the risks of use, and connect them to substance use treatment services if necessary. SBIRT is an evidence-informed intervention that has been adapted by HIV experts in collaboration with community members to improve health outcomes among people with HIV. Two sites implemented SBIRT as part of E2i, an initiative funded by the RWHAP Part F SPNS program from 2017–2021. Among the clients enrolled in SBIRT, the percentage with a prescription of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and who reached viral suppression both increased significantly.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
All clients
Retention in HIV medical care; Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model
Wilton Manors, FL
Newark, NJ
The Rutgers New Jersey Medical School created a transgender health program and integrated it into their Infectious Disease Practice. The program conducted community outreach to engage transgender men and women in care, trained all staff on gender affirming care, hired transgender staff, provided gender affirming care and hormone treatments onsite, and offered mental health support to patients.
Emerging Intervention
Transgender women
Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model
Newark, NJ
The Test and Treat initiative, implemented by Oklahoma State University, connects people to antiretroviral therapy (ART) within 14 days of HIV diagnosis through streamlined intake and initial clinic visit protocols and 30-day medication starter packs. Participants in Test and Treat are linked to care and reach viral suppression sooner, and are more likely to be retained in care, as compared with people in standard care.
Emerging Intervention
People with a new diagnosis of HIV
Linkage to HIV medical care; Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression; Retention in HIV medical care
Clinical service delivery model
Tulsa, OK