Access to HIV Care in North Carolina: A Survey of HIV Care Providers (2016)
Undergraduate: Alexandra Hamberis
Faculty Advisor: Becky White
Department: Biology
Background: A major strategy to decrease HIV transmission in the US is to increase HIV testing, treatment, linkage and retention into HIV care. However, it is unknown if the current HIV workforce can accommodate an influx of new HIV-infected patients. Further, recent surveys indicate that a third of HIV health care providers may be retiring in the next decade. The HIV health care workforce shortage may be worse in southern states like North Carolina with a large rural HIV epidemic. The objective of this study was to determine HIV clinic capacity and describe any HIV clinician workforce shortages.
Methods: We surveyed 65* HIV primary care sites in North Carolina. With a xx% response rate, we found that more than 50%* of rural HIV care sites had difficulties recruiting physicians who provide HIV care. While most non-rural care sites did not express difficulty in recruiting physicians, several had difficulty recruiting nurse practitioners and physicians¿¿¿ assistants who provide HIV primary care.
Results: These findings support the concern that there may be a shortage of HIV providers in rural regions of the state particularly physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
Conclusion: We must therefore look ahead and find a way to recruit more providers to HIV care. This could include incentivizing HIV care or changing the way that primary care residents are taught.
*Numbers are still being finalized as we receive responses.