Evolving trends in medical care-coordination for patients with HIV and AIDS

HIV/AIDS is a condition characterized by a variety of medical and social needs that affect individuals over time. System-level problems of access, rising costs of care, and varying quality of HIV/AIDS care in addition to the individual barriers to care such as stigma, perceived discrimination, competing needs, and comorbid conditions have highlighted the importance of using comprehensive approaches to care delivery. Several types of services have been proposed to improve care coordination for various diseases, including case management, community health workers, promotoras, and patient navigators. In this paper, we will review the characteristics of care coordination interventions for persons with HIV and the findings in the literature about their association with HIV health outcomes. We will conclude with a discussion of the implications and important areas for further investigations on this topic. Copyright © 2006 by Current Science Inc.