CompletedNot Applicable

Project to Enhance Patient-Health Engagement in HIV Infection

Italy75 participantsStarted 2024-11-08

Plain-language summary

The importance of patient involvement in their care is emerging as a crucial element in the active management of chronic conditions, including HIV infection. For people living with HIV (PLWH), a proactive role in managing their health promotes improved quality of life and greater adherence to treatment. However, data on enhancing patient engagement among PLWH are currently lacking. This project aims to offer, for the first time, training to enhance patient engagement specifically for PLWH, delivered by psychologists at the Infectious Diseases Outpatient Clinic of the Gemelli Hospital in Rome. The program aims to strengthen emotional, cognitive, and behavioral involvement in the treatment process, promoting greater adherence to treatment, improved management of comorbidities, and increased healthy behaviors. Furthermore, the project aims to adapt the training to the specific needs of PLWH and evaluate its actual impact on quality of life and psychological well-being. Scientific Rationale Over 38 million people are living with HIV worldwide, with approximately 1.5 million new infections in 2021. In Italy, 1,770 new HIV diagnoses were recorded in 2021, with a higher incidence in men between the ages of 30 and 39. Thanks to antiretroviral therapy (ART), AIDS mortality has decreased significantly, and the U=U (Undetectable=Untransmittable) principle has confirmed the importance of virological suppression in reducing virus transmission. Despite the success of ART, one of the current challenges is ensuring a good quality of life for PLWH. HIV management is a chronic process that requires continuity of care, treatment adherence, and a multidisciplinary approach to address emerging comorbidities, including cardiovascular, bone, renal, metabolic, oncological, and neuropsychiatric conditions. In this context, active patient involvement becomes essential to improve adherence to therapy and overall health management.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: Consent to participate in the study * HIV diagnosis * Current antiretroviral therapy * \- Age \>18 * Be able to write, speak, and understand Italian * Be able to participate in 3 in-person meetings Exclusion Criteria: * Refusal to participate in the study * No HIV diagnosis * Not currently receiving antiretroviral therapy * Not being treated at the Infectious Diseases Outpatient Clinic at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome * Age \<18 years * Non-native Italian speaker * Unable to attend three in-person meetings

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

score of PLWH

Timeframe: 10 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07571044

SponsorFondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2025-03-06

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