HIV physicians launch CALIBER of Care initiative

MerckDec 2 2011

Today, on World AIDS Day, an expert panel of physicians from HIV clinics across the country announced the launch of the CALIBER (Clinic Activation to Lead and Implement Best practices for Enhancing Response to HIV) of Care^© initiative, a partnership with Merck that is designed to help improve HIV patient care through physician-patient communication resources.  Many people living with HIV in the United States seek medical care through local clinics, and effective communication is an important part of a patient's overall treatment experience. 

"Research has shown that successful dialogue between physicians and patients can help improve treatment adherence and is essential for quality patient care," said Jason Leider, M.D., Ph.D., North Bronx Healthcare Network of Jacobi and Central Bronx Hospitals and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, and a member of the CALIBER of Care physician panel.  "The CALIBER of Care initiative provides educational resources that aim to help strengthen physician-patient dialogue and address issues that may represent barriers to care in an effort to help achieve better treatment outcomes for patients."

While there are many challenges facing the HIV Clinic Community, the CALIBER of Care panel of expert physicians have identified the need for physician resources focused on several key areas, including stigma, risk reduction, leadership training and team-building within the clinic setting.  The first resource available through the initiative is the Stigma Dialogue Navigator, which is designed to help address the impact of stigma and empower patients to overcome its negative effect.  Stigma often inhibits patients from seeking HIV testing and from receiving and adhering to treatment.

"The services offered by clinics are fundamental to the well-being of people living with HIV who may face challenges in accessing the care they need," said Michael J. Harbour, M.D., U.S. Director of Medical Affairs for HIV, Merck.  "On this World AIDS Day, Merck is proud to partner with leading physicians on the CALIBER of Care initiative to provide educational resources to healthcare professionals as part of our long-standing commitment to the HIV Community."

Many clinics and community health centers target or accept underserved HIV-positive patients and face complex challenges that may impact the patient-physician relationship, as well as treatment outcome goals.  Open dialogue and supportive communication between patients and physicians can greatly impact various challenges with HIV care, such as improving treatment adherence and proactively and positively addressing stigma.

The Stigma Dialogue Navigator is currently available for download at: www.CALIBERofCare.com.  In 2012, the CALIBER of Care initiative plans to provide additional resources for use by physicians who care for HIV-infected patients in a clinic setting.