The Impact of Clinic Policy Attendance and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Medical Case Management Program on HIV Clinical Outcomes: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study

Clinic appointment attendance is a significant determinant of improved HIV health outcomes. A retrospective longitudinal analysis from 2009 to 2015 examined the relationship of clinic policy attendance with and without medical case management (MCM) on HIV clinical outcomes. Clinical parameters were abstracted across the study years and latent growth models measured HIV clinical outcomes as a function of time. A total of 2773 patients were included in this study. More than the majority of individuals had 75% clinic policy attendance during each of the study years and the median number of MCM contact visits with the case manager was 4.0 visits per year (p < 0.01). While the overall trend identified improved HIV clinical outcomes across the clinic population over the study period, it also revealed individuals receiving MCM and with 75% clinic policy attendance had significantly faster improvement in HIV clinical outcomes compared to the individuals who did not receive MCM nor had 75% clinic policy attendance. This study identified how MCM, in combination with clinic policy attendance efforts, are useful in quickly improving HIV viral load and CD4 T-cell count. These findings support the continued need for funding of the Ryan White Care Act as it assists with the support of MCM and appointment attendance through the guidance of wrap-around services.