NCT03135886 · Columbia University
Project I Test: Implementing HIV Testing in Opioid Treatment Programs
What this study is about
This study will test two active evidence-based "practice coaching" (PC) interventions to improve opioid treatment programs' (OTPs') provision and sustained implementation of on-site 1) HIV testing and linkage to care and 2) HIV/Hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and linkage to care among patients seeking/receiving substance use disorder treatment.
View original scientific description
This study will test two active evidence-based "practice coaching" (PC) interventions to improve opioid treatment programs' (OTPs') provision and sustained implementation of on-site 1) HIV testing and linkage to care and 2) HIV/Hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and linkage to care among patients seeking/receiving substance use disorder treatment. Aims are: Aim 1: To evaluate the effectiveness of the PC interventions on improving patient uptake of HIV testing in OTPs including the incremental impact of the HIV/HCV intervention on HIV testing. Aim 2: To examine, using mixed-methods, the impact of the PC interventions on the initiation and sustained provision of HIV testing and timely linkage to care. Aim 3: To evaluate the health outcomes, health care utilization, and cost-effectiveness of the PC interventions compared incrementally to one another and to the control condition. Primary Hypothesis: 1. The two PC interventions will result in significantly higher proportions of patients tested for HIV than the information control condition during the "initial impact" period (7-12 months post-randomization or T3), controlling for the proportion of patients tested during the baseline period, T1 (Primary) and during the "sustained impact" period, 13-18 months post-randomization or T4 (Secondary). 2. The HIV/HCV PC intervention will result in significantly higher proportions of patients tested for HIV than the HIV PC intervention during the initial impact period (7-12 months post-randomization or T3), controlling for the proportion of patients tested during the baseline period, T1 (Secondary) and during the "sustained impact" period, 13-18 months post-randomization or T4 (Secondary).
Interventions
OTHER
Information Control
The OTPs assigned to this group will be provided access to the NIDA/SAMHSA Blending Initiative product for HIV rapid testing. Resources generated from the HIV rapid testing Blending Initiative product include a fact sheet, resource guide, marketing materials, and an Excel-based budgeting tool. In addition to the HIV-specific materials, the website provides opportunities for training, self-study progress, workshop, and distance learning. OTPs also will receive a link to the Anti-Retroviral Treatment and Access to Services (ARTAS) intervention training website which provides information and training courses. Sites also will receive a hard (or electronic) copy of the ARTAS implementation manual and information about the provision of HIV testing, linkage to care and PrEP.
OTHER
HIV and HCV Testing Practice Coaching Intervention
The practice coaches (PCs) will work with the program team a) to establish capabilities, reimbursement systems and/or partnerships necessary to support HIV and HCV testing and evidence--based linkage to care and b) to reduce barriers (e.g., staffing, training) to the implementation and sustained provision of HIV and HCV testing. Also, due to the expense of HCV treatment, and potentially more complicated mechanisms for linking HCV-positive patients to further evaluation and care which may take more time than anticipated, PCs will provide OTPs with basic education and motivation about the importance of HCV testing for reasons other than immediate curative treatment. Information on PrEP also will be provided. The intervention will occur over approximately 29 weeks (or 6 months).
OTHER
HIV Testing Practice Coaching Intervention
The practice coaches (PCs) will work with the programs a) to establish capabilities, reimbursement systems and/or partnerships necessary to support HIV testing and evidence-based linkage to care and b) to reduce barriers (e.g., staffing, training) to the implementation and sustained provision of HIV testing. Information on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) also will be provided. The intervention will occur over approximately 29 weeks (or 6 months) consisting of four distinct evidence-based phases designed to establish competency in the implementation of organizational change towards establishing HIV testing outcomes among OTP clientele.
Primary outcome measures
Proportion of OTP patients HIV tested at 6 months post intervention or control, while controlling for HIV testing during the baseline period (T1)
Time frame: The period 7-12 months post site-randomization (T3).
The primary outcome measure will be a contrast of the proportion of OTP patients HIV tested during T3, controlling for HIV testing at baseline (T1). The primary test will be whether the proportion of patients tested across the two PC interventions--HIV Testing PC Intervention Group and HIV/HCV Testing PC Intervention Group--differs from the proportion of patients tested in the Information Control Group.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Eligible sites must:
- See at least 150 unduplicated patients/year/site
- Be capable and willing to prospectively collect data on the number of patients who a) are offered any HIV and/or HCV tests; b) completed these tests; c) are referred to care/evaluation (and type of referral) if positive; and d) are linked to care/evaluation within 30 days of diagnosis
- Be capable and willing to provide patient demographics, testing data within demographic categories of gender and race/ethnicity (in aggregate) and data on HIV/HCV test reimbursement processes and outcomes
- Have key staff willing to consent to participate in study surveys, qualitative interviews and intervention coaching throughout the study
Exclusion criteria
- Sites will be excluded if:
- Over 50% of patients served in the prior 6 months were HIV or HCV tested
- They are terminated via PI decision/discretion
Where
- New York, New York
Collaborators
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Weill Medical College of Cornell University, University of Miami, Boston Medical Center, Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc., San Francisco Department of Public Health, New York University Abu Dhabi
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Frequently asked questions
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Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
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Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Jul 29, 2025 · Source of record for eligibility and locations