PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
In response to RFA-MH-20-521, this R34 application proposes to adapt a stigma-reduction training, develop a
new prescribing platform, and pilot test these implementation strategies to improve the integration of
pharmacotherapy for serious mental health disorders and alcohol use disorder (AUD) in Ryan White care sites in
three counties of the Ending the Epidemic Plan—Dekalb, Gwinnett, and Cobb Counties in the Atlanta Metro area.
We propose to engage a Community Collaborative Board (CCB) that includes people living with HIV (PLHIV) and
conduct in-depth interviews with PLHIV to adapt the Health Policy Project's stigma-reduction training to address
mental health and substance abuse-related stigma. We also will engage an expert panel of psychiatrists and
experts in HIV medicine and conduct focus group discussions with providers to inform the development of the
You℞ Decision prescribing platform, which will help providers make decisions about prescribing medications for
depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and AUD among PLHIV. This platform will be accessible via mobile devices—
smartphones and tablets—and will use algorithms based on best practices in HIV primary care and refined based
on feedback from experts in HIV medicine and psychiatry to guide HIV providers in developing the best
medication regimens for patients with comorbid disorders. For this planning grant, we will use the Consolidated
Framework for Implementation Research, the ERIC recommendations, and Proctor's implementation taxonomy to
explore the determinants of implementation, identify implementation strategies, and assess the acceptability of the
stigma-reduction training and assess feasibility and acceptability of the You℞ Decision prescribing platform in
Positive Impact Health Centers, which are Ryan White-funded care sites. We will also conduct a pilot trial to
assess the preliminary impact of the stigma-reduction training to reduce clinic-level stigma and the You℞ Decision
prescribing platform to increase providers' self-efficacy related to prescribing psychiatric medication and
naltrexone (targeted mechanisms) and their provision of pharmacotherapy for depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder,
and AUD (adoption). Specific Aims: Aim 1: To conduct formative activities with PLHIV, HIV care providers,
and our CCB to adapt a stigma-reduction training to address mental health and substance abuse-related
stigma among clinic staff and engage HIV care providers and an expert panel to develop the You℞ Decision
prescribing platform to support HIV care providers to offer pharmacotherapy to treat depression, PTSD,
bipolar disorder, and AUD. Aim 2: To assess the acceptability of the stigma-reduction training among clinic
staff and the feasibility, acceptability, and adoption of using the You℞ Decision prescribing platform during
clinical encounters among providers in HIV care settings. Aim 3: To use idiographic methods to conduct a
pilot trial to assess the preliminary impact of the stigma-reduction training on clinic-level stigma and of the
You℞ Decision prescribing platform on HIV care providers' self-efficacy to prescribe psychiatric medications
and naltrexone as well as the impact of the stigma-reduction training and platform to increase the percentage
of eligible patients who receive prescriptions to treat depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and AUD.
