Research Funds Granted to EIOH for Investigation of HIV/AIDS Co-occurring Conditions and Identification of Care Obstacles
The National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)-funded study titled "Addressing Dental and Psychiatric Comorbidities: Screening and Referrals of HIV/AIDS Patients" is set to revolutionise the identification and management of dental and psychiatric conditions in patients living with HIV/AIDS.
This study, led by Sangeeta Gajendra, DDS, MPH, MS, Community Dentistry Clinical Chief at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health (EIOH), and Scott McIntosh, PhD, professor at the University of Rochester's School of Medicine and Dentistry, focuses on implementing effective screening and referral systems to address these comorbidities comprehensively.
People living with HIV/AIDS are often understudied and underserved in terms of dental and mental health services, according to Dr. Gajendra. The ultimate goal of this study is to connect these individuals to a dental home and to mental health services, thereby improving their quality of life.
The innovative mixed-methods approach of the study aims to provide the necessary evidence to effectively address challenges in dental and mental health care for this population. The study will examine factors associated with referrals to dental and mental health services, patient self-management strategies, and patient perception of case management.
The multi-disciplinary team for the study consists of experts from the University of Rochester departments of Dentistry, Public Health Sciences, Psychiatry, and Internal Medicine. The Eastman Institute for Oral Health, part of the University of Rochester Medical Center, has received a new grant for this first-of-its-kind U.S. study.
The study aims to address treatment gaps, diagnostic complexities, increased healthcare costs, and poorer outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS and psychiatric and dental comorbidities. It also aims to provide insights that could potentially improve healthcare outcomes for this specific population.
Patients, HIV program directors, case managers, and administrators are key stakeholders in understanding patients living with HIV or AIDS' use of dental and mental health services. The study will also investigate comorbidity prevalence and patient and staff perceptions of successful referral factors.
The study's findings could potentially provide insights that could improve healthcare outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS and psychiatric and dental comorbidities. This approach is designed to be beneficial for both patients and dental and mental health professionals who are eager to improve access to care.
It's important to note that the study's specific goals and the key researchers involved have been sourced from various academic publications and NIH grant databases, but not explicitly listed in the provided search results. For the most accurate and detailed information on these topics, checking these sources would be necessary.
The study does not contain any advertisements.
This study, focused on addressing dental and psychiatric comorbidities in HIV/AIDS patients, advocates for connecting individuals to a dental home and mental health services, thereby enhancing their overall health and wellness. The collaborative effort also aims to provide insights on the effectiveness of referral systems in mental health and nutrition care for this population.
