Developing a Patient Navigation Program to Improve Engagement in HIV Medical Care and Viral Suppression: A Demonstration Project Protocol

Individuals diagnosed and living with HIV who are out of care or who have persistent viremia are at risk for poor health outcomes and are estimated to account for two-thirds of all new HIV infections. As part of a six-state demonstration project to improve access to care for hard-to-reach populations, Wisconsin developed an HIV-specific patient navigation program to improve engagement in HIV care and viral suppression for populations at risk for poor HIV care outcomes. Patient navigators worked with individuals who were out of HIV medical care or were at risk of falling out of care over nine months to identify and address barriers to care. This manuscript describes the patient navigation program and rationale, and lessons learned that should be considered by sites developing similar programs.