Document 1082
 DOCN  M94A1082
 TI    Developing effective strategies for HIV infected women within an inner
       city hospital.
 DT    9412
 AU    Thomas G; Flam R; el-Sadr W; Harlem Hospital Center, N.Y., N.Y.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(2):213 (abstract no. PB0865). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94371493
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To examine methods of recruiting women to HIV treatment
       protocols. METHODS: Contacts with staff were made in outpatient clinics
       likely to be serving HIV infected women, including the Infectious
       Disease, Colposcopy, and High Risk Clinics. Establishing a working
       relationship with clinic staff included discussing the need for HIV
       testing, the nature of protocols/programs, as well as examining the
       existing procedures and data in each clinic. Screening for potential
       recruits was done by introduction and discussion with patients in clinic
       waiting rooms, through chart reviews, examinations of lab logs, and
       collegial discussions with members of ongoing HIV-related programs.
       Flyers were also posted on various floors of the Hospital to alert
       providers and patients to the programs. RESULTS: Many difficulties have
       been encountered in recruiting women. Key reasons include patients' and
       providers' lack of awareness of available HIV related programs and
       personal obstacles in patients' lives. DISCUSSION: Foremost, linkages
       need to be strengthened between providers. Existing programs need to be
       discussed in detail with providers to increase awareness for referrals,
       and also to encourage changes in existing procedures which hinder
       recruitment. Providers also need to be educated on how to communicate
       with patients when often class and ethnic differences exist. There is an
       urgent need to develop close relationships with potential patients. It
       is necessary to provide patients with a safe and supportive environment,
       to assist in managing personal challenges, and to provide non-judgmental
       education about the nature of HIV infection and ways of maintaining
       health. Co-counseling with peers is a viable means of achieving these
       goals.
 DE    *Clinical Trials  Female  *Hospitals, Urban  Human  HIV
       Infections/*THERAPY  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).