Participants should be aware of the following financial/non-financial relationships: . Namrata Bhanat, BDS, MPH, MBA, MSISS: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Scott McIntosh, PhD: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Prasida Khanal, BDS, MPH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Sucharu Ghosh, BDS, MPH: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.. Sangeeta Gajendra, DDS, MPH, MS: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Abstract: Objective: To examine linkage factors as perceived by HIV/AIDS program directors and /or other key staff (using key informant interviews (KII)), including barriers to successful dental and mental health referrals and factors that affect patient motivation.
Method: The present study was a qualitative research study using KII. A KII guide developed from prior literature was used. The study participants included 8-12 program directors and other key staff from New York State HIV programs recruited using the purposive sampling technique and networking. Interviews were audio and video recorded via the University secure Zoom account and later transcribed professionally. Data was analyzed qualitatively using grounded theory. Open coding thematic analysis was applied, with two independent coders to increase inter-rater consistency.
Result: Nine key informants, with experience ranging from 3-22yrs were interviewed. They mainly served in organizations with varying medical integration models. The qualitative analysis resulted in 13 final themes. Participants were more knowledgeable about barriers to referral to mental healthcare than to dental healthcare. The most significant barriers identified were stigma around treatment for mental health and HIV status exposure, housing, transportation, fear, anxiety, feeling of disconnect, inability to see the same dentist, and their unavailability. Facilitators identified to overcome these barriers included proper case management with sufficient care coordinators, social workers, and case managers, integrated one-stop-shop care, and interprofessional awareness and collaboration.
Conclusion: HIV clinicians and administrators need to use specific strategies, including care coordination and interprofessional collaboration to increase success in dental and mental health referrals for better outcomes.
Source of Funding: Funding: Department of Public Health Sciences pilot grant, URMC Rochester, NY
