CTN-0049: Project HOPE: Hospital Visit as Opportunity for Prevention and Engagement for HIV-Infected Drug Users

Lisa R. Metsch, PhD
Lead Investigator
Associate Professor, Dept. of Epidemiology and Public Health
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
lmetsch@med.miami.edu

Project HOPE will evaluate the effectiveness of a brief intervention delivered to HIV-infected drug users recruited from the hospital setting in achieving viral suppression.  The trial comprises:  1) an active patient navigator component:  a strengths-based case management approach that includes motivation, physical escort to treatment, and face-to-face booster sessions; and 2) a passive incentives/contingency management component to further motivate and reinforce completion of target behaviors.  The primary goal of the study is HIV viral suppression.  In addition, the study will also determine linkage and retention in HIV primary care, linkage and retention in drug abuse treatment, and reduction in numbers of hospitalizations.

Primary Findings

Among hospitalized patients with HIV infection and substance use, patient navigation with or without financial incentives did not have a beneficial effect on HIV viral suppression relative to nonsuppression or death at 12 months vs. treatment as usual. These findings do not support these interventions in this setting and indicate that other approaches are needed to improve HIV outcomes in this vulnerable population.

Primary Outcomes Article: Metsch LR, et al. Effect of Patient Navigation With or Without Financial Incentives on Viral Suppression Among Hospitalized Patients with HIV Infection and Substance Use: A Randomized Trial. JAMA 2016;316(2):156-170. [get article]

    Node Involvement

    Lead Node(s):

  • Florida Node Alliance

  • All Participating Nodes:

  • Appalachian Tri-State Node
  • Delaware Valley Node
  • Florida Node Alliance
  • Mid-Atlantic Node
  • New England Node
  • Ohio Valley Node
  • Pacific Region Node
  • Southern Consortium Node
  • Texas Node