| Sumario: | This project examined HIV-infected patients who were lost to follow-up during calendar years 2001-2004 in order to identify reasons patients were leaving care. Sustaining and retaining HIV-infected patients in care has been a consistent challenge to primary care health systems. Continuity, enhancing wellness, and patient engagement are long-term goals in primary care. Factors that influence clients to disengage from care frequently result in patterns of episodic utilization that may compromise the patient's health status and increase their psychosocial vulnerability. The standard of care suggests that HIV-infected patients return for medical follow-up primary care visits four times a year. Since 2001, there have been over 495 patients that have been determined inactive. The project administered telephone and mail surveys to HIV-infected patients that no longer receive care at Fenway Health Center. The survey includes demographic questions, insurance questions, potential reasons for stopping care, and whether the participant is receiving care at another facility. Subsequently, the project connected interviewees into the Health System Navigation (HSN) Project to assist them with seeking HIV medical care. This was accomplished by including prescreener questions in the survey. If a patient is determined to be eligible, they will be invited to participate in the HSN Project.
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