Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 175-183). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Rhode Island, 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-137).

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1991.

Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Also available in print.

Thesis (M. Nurs.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006.

Thesis (doctoral)--Umeå Universitet, 1985. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted. Includes bibliographical references.

Class of 2008 Abstract / Objectives: To describe a pharmacist-based treatment adherence program at an HIV ambulatory care clinic setting; to describe the patient population that the pharmacist provided services to from 2005 to 2007; and to describe the clinical outcomes of the program. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 381 patients enrolled in the pharmacist-based treatment adherence program from 2/01/05 to 03/01/2007. Inclusion criteria: HIV positive; greater than or equal to 18 years of age; a medical record; and enrollment in the treatment adherence program. The program provided support, education, and clinical management. Results: Patients were predominately male (86%), ages 45-64 (58%) or 25-44 (38%), identifying as Caucasian (57%) or Hispanic (31%), with psychiatric (50%) or substance abuse (39%) comorbidities (with 25% reporting both comorbidities). Baseline HIV viral loads were compared at four different follow-up periods: 90-180 days, 181-365 days, greater than 365 days, and the entire period of follow-up through the pharmacist-based HIV treatment adherence program. At baseline 34% of the patients had an undetectable HIV viral load (< copies/mL) and a mean CD4 count of 340. All follow-up periods reported significant improvements. At follow-up >365 days, 76% of the patients had undetectable virus (p<0.001) and a mean CD4 count of 442 (p<0.001). There were no significant results when viral load and mean CD4 counts were examined within the context of number of pharmacist visits and SA and/or psychiatric comorbidities. Conclusions: Patients in the pharmacist-based treatment adherence program showed significant improvements in CD4 count and percent of patients with undetectable virus from baseline to all follow-up periods. The magnitude of the improvement increased during each follow-up period suggesting an additive effect of continued enrollment in the program.

Behavioral counseling is integral for the overall health of individuals with a mental health diagnosis. For instance, diabetic patients treated with cognitive behavioral therapy (“CBT”) for depression have been shown to have better glycemic control and patients with coronary artery disease treated with CBT for stress management have decreased risk for recurrent myocardial infarction. Above all, for nearly all mental health diagnoses, behavioral counseling is an effective treatment strategy for achieving remission. In primary care, mental health therapy oftentimes starts with a referral to a counseling center or psychiatric professional. With strong patient commitment, behavioral therapy can ultimately improve health outcomes and the day to day functioning for that patient. Unfortunately, the initial step can be the most difficult and the journey never begins. In our clinic, a residency clinic in a semi-rural area with a high percentage of underinsured, we noticed that a lower than preferred number of patients that we refer to our most accessible behavioral counseling center do not even schedule their first appointment. Additionally, we are limited by a scarcity of affordable psychiatric resources and this counseling center is often our only option for referral. For this purpose, we implemented the following changes consecutively to the referral process. First, our in-house referrals coordinator made the first appointment, instead of the patient having to call themselves. Next, we took this a step further, and an employee from the counseling center came onsite to initiate the intake process on the day of the referral or at the patient’s convenience. We then measured their success by comparing the percentage of patients that completed the intake process before and after each implementation. There was a statistically significant increase in the mean percentage of intakes completed after each intervention. We conclude that although the reason patients are unable to follow-up with a behavioral health referral is often multi-factorial, simplifying the process for the patient seems to help a great deal. While this is encouraging, more evaluation is needed to determine if patient outcomes are improved, and if these interventions are cost effective and sustainable options.

No description available.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2004. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.