Medical Outreach to HIV Patients in Unstable Housing Increases Use of Care and HIV-Related Medications and Improves Patient Perceptions of Quality

Medical Outreach to HIV Patients in Unstable Housing Increases Use of Care and HIV-Related Medications and Improves Patient Perceptions of Quality

Snapshot
Summary
Between 2001 and 2009, the Medical Outreach Program enhanced services provided to unstably housed, minority individuals with HIV by including physicians on the community outreach team. The physicians supplemented the social and harm reduction services that were previously offered by providing general medical consultation, triage, acute care, evaluation, and prescriptions for needed medications. The program also scheduled follow up medical appointments and arranged transportation to these appointments. The program increased use of regular medical care and HIV-related medications and improved patients' perceptions of the quality of medical care received.

See the Planning and Development section for revised information on development activities (updated October 2009).

Evidence Rating
Moderate: The evidence consists of pre- and post-implementation comparisons based on cross-sectional interviews with a group of 161 program participants. It also includes secondary analysis of medical appointment records (for 416 participants) and medical charts (for 218 participants).

Developing Organizations
CitiWide Harm Reduction; Montefiore Medical Center
Bronx, NY


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AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Medical Outreach to HIV Patients in Unstable Housing Increases Use of Care and HIV-Related Medications and Improves Patient Perceptions of Quality