In a short span of less than 30 years, HIV evolved from a death sentence to a manageable chronic disease, and primary care providers now play an important role in diagnosing and managing HIV care. The 2017 Massachusetts Integrated HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Plan is a comprehensive assessment of Massachusetts HIV epidemiology, prevention, and care efforts. The PCHC team will read and use the Integrated Care Plan to assess the strengths and areas for improvement of two community-based HIV care sites in Worcester and Lawrence, MA. Through interviews with the academic and community faculty and the multidisciplinary HIV teams at each site, the PCHC team will assess factors contributing to missed and late diagnoses, unsuccessful linkage to or retention in care, and inability to achieve HIV viral suppression. Literature review and interviews with patients, staff, providers, social service agencies, and other community based organizations will comprise the team’s research. As part of this process, the PCHC team may also identify unmet needs/opportunities for training and/or technical assistance, which could be later addressed by the New England AIDS Education and Training Center. Students may also accompany staff on a home visit or outreach, shadow a resident or attending, or participate in an HIV quality improvement meeting.
