Trauma-informed Care for HIV

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Meharry Medical College

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Non-English speakers, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to improve how Black youth with HIV adhere to their medical appointments, particularly if they have experienced psychological trauma. It tests a new approach involving personnel intervention and patient support to help both young patients and their care providers manage trauma and HIV care more effectively. Participants in Memphis, TN, will receive brief interventions designed to enhance appointment attendance and emotional well-being. Suitable candidates for the trial include young adults diagnosed with HIV, receiving care at the St. Jude HIV clinic, and who have experienced trauma. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to innovative strategies that could enhance care for others facing similar challenges.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

What prior data suggests that this intervention is safe for personnel and patients?

Research has shown that trauma-informed care has been used in health services and schools to assist people with HIV. This approach improves access to care and effectiveness by addressing the emotional effects of trauma. Studies have found that this type of care leads to better support and improved mental health for patients.

In HIV treatment, trauma-informed care has been linked to patients keeping their appointments and experiencing better treatment outcomes. Although specific data on its safety is limited, this approach is generally well-received because it focuses on understanding and reducing the effects of trauma, rather than introducing new medications or invasive procedures.

Overall, trauma-informed care is considered safe and beneficial in enhancing the experiences of both patients and healthcare providers in treating HIV, especially among young people. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores trauma-informed care, which is a fresh approach for supporting people with HIV. Unlike traditional treatments that primarily focus on medical management of the virus, this approach targets psychological trauma, recognizing its impact on health outcomes like appointment adherence. By delivering brief interventions to both clinic personnel and patients, the trial aims to improve wellness and trauma responses, potentially leading to better overall health for individuals with HIV. This holistic approach is unique because it addresses the emotional and psychological dimensions of living with HIV, which are often overlooked in standard care.

What evidence suggests that this personnel intervention is effective for improving HIV appointment adherence among Black youth with HIV?

Research has shown that trauma-informed care can help people with HIV adhere to their treatment plans more effectively. One study found that women with HIV who received support for trauma were more likely to attend medical appointments. Another study found that addressing trauma improved health outcomes for people with HIV. This trial will provide brief interventions for psychological trauma to both clinic personnel and patients. This approach addresses the emotional and mental effects of trauma, which can complicate HIV management. By supporting both the medical team and patients, trauma-informed care aims to reduce stress and improve overall health. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Black youth with HIV in Memphis, TN, who may have experienced psychological trauma affecting their ability to stick to HIV treatment appointments. Specific eligibility details are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

Patients must be able to participate in English and consent to intervention

Personnel must be an employee of St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital

I am at least 18 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Past employees are excluded

I am over 18 or can communicate in English if younger.

I work at St. Jude and interact with HIV clinic patients.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Adaptation

Adapt TIC protocols by incorporating novel contextual components

1 year

Implementation and Assessment

Implement and assess impact of novel TIC-YH intervention on personnel attitudes, practices, and system culture

2 years

Regular assessments and interventions

Patient Assessment

Implement and assess impact of novel TIC-YH on patient HIV appointment adherence and trauma response

2 years

Regular patient assessments

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

1 year

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Personnel intervention and patients

Trial Overview The study is testing a tailored trauma treatment aimed at improving the health outcomes of young people living with HIV and supporting their care providers. It focuses on enhancing adherence to scheduled HIV care appointments.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Personnel and patients of the clinic Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This is an interrupted time series where we will compare before and after outcomes based on personnel and patients who receive brief interventions for psychological trauma, comparing personnel wellness outcomes, patient HIV appointment adherence and trauma response outcomes.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Meharry Medical College

Lead Sponsor

Trials

19

Recruited

6,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10084732/

Trauma-Informed HIV Care Interventions: Towards a ... Improving AIDS Care After Trauma (ImpACT): Pilot Outcomes of a Coping intervention Among HIV-Infected Women with Sexual Trauma in South Africa.

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666560325001124

Implementation outcomes of trauma-informed ... For the HIV/AIDS treatment adherence, health outcomes and cost study group, 2004. Understanding the interface of HIV, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07055360

A Trauma-Informed Intervention for the Newly HIV-Diagnosed Extent to which the participant living with HIV holds negative beliefs about HIV and AIDS. Values: 6 items, range from 6 (minimum) to 30 ( ...

4. nursing.ucsf.edu nursing.ucsf.edu/scienceofcaring/news/trauma-informed-care-women-hiv-and-beyond

Trauma-Informed Care for Women with HIV and Beyond It has become axiomatic that effective medical treatments have turned human immunodeficiency ... AIDS Care. Based on that experience ...

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1537930/full

A trauma-informed care model for HIV prevention and ... Few studies have examined the impact of TIC interventions on HIV care outcomes among this population. ... Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. (2016) 13:374–82. doi ...

6. hivimpsci.northwestern.edu hivimpsci.northwestern.edu/2024/07/03/breaking-barriers-using-trauma-informed-care-to-support-youth-living-with-hiv/

Using Trauma-Informed Care to Support Youth Living with ... Paralleling PTSD rates for adults living with HIV, PTSD rates among youth living with HIV are significantly higher compared to their peers.

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07137026

Trauma-informed Care for Youth With HIV in Memphis This is an interrupted time series where we will compare before and after outcomes based on personnel and patients who receive brief ...