Structural factors and best practices in implementing a linkage to HIV care program using the ARTAS model.

Background: Implementation of linkage to HIV care programs in the U.S. is poorly described in the literature despite the central role of these programs in delivering clients from HIV testing facilities to clinical care sites.

Brief strengths-based case management promotes entry into HIV medical care: results of the antiretroviral treatment access study-II.

Objective: The Antiretroviral Treatment Access Study-II (ARTAS-II) evaluated a brief case management intervention delivered in health departments and community-based organizations (CBOs) to link recently diagnosed HIV-infected persons to medical care rapidly.

Methods: Recently diagnosed HIV-infected persons were recruited from 10 study sites across the United States during 2005 to 2006. The intervention consisted of up to 5 sessions with an ARTAS linkage case manager over a 90-day period.