Adolescent and Adult HIV Providers' Definitions of HIV Infected Youths' Successful Transition to Adult Care in the United States.
Abstract It is important for both individual and population level health that HIV infected individuals progress through the Care Continuum. However, HIV infected youth frequently disengage from care during transition from pediatric/adolescent to adult care; only 50% remain in adult care after 1 year. Understanding how providers define and approach a successful healthcare transition can improve the delivery of HIV related services during critical years of HIV treatment. We conducted 58 staff interviews across 14 Adolescent Trials Network clinics (n 30) and 20 adult clinics (n 28) We used the constant comparative method to examine how providers defined and approached youths' successful transition. Providers identified four components critical to successful transition: (1) clinical outcomes (e.g. medication adherence and viral suppression) (2) youth knowing how to complete treatment related activities (e.g. refilling prescriptions and making appointments) (3) youth taking responsibility for treatme.