Clinical Scorecard: Towards Comprehensive Approaches in Infectious Disease Management, Harm Reduction Strategies, and Primary Healthcare Integration
At a Glance
Category
Detail
Condition
Substance use disorders and related infections (hepatitis C, HIV) among people who use drugs
Key Mechanisms
Integration of primary care and infectious disease services within community-based harm reduction settings using trusted providers and peer outreach workers
Target Population
People who use drugs (PWUD), often marginalized due to stigma and structural barriers
Care Setting
Community-based harm reduction programs with colocated clinical services
Key Highlights
Integration of trusted healthcare providers into harm reduction programs increases treatment engagement among PWUD.
Peer outreach workers with lived experience serve as cultural bridges, fostering trust and improving patient retention.
Bundling multiple services into a single access point reduces fragmentation and lowers relapse rates.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Utilize integrated care models to facilitate diagnosis of substance use disorders and related infections within harm reduction settings.
Management
Provide low-threshold addiction and harm reduction care through colocated primary and infectious disease services.
Incorporate peer outreach workers to enhance engagement and retention.
Monitoring & Follow-up
Monitor patient engagement and relapse rates to assess effectiveness of integrated care models.
Risks
Address stigma and structural exclusion that may limit patient access and provider recruitment.
Recognize regulatory and funding barriers that impede program sustainability.
Patient & Prescribing Data
People who use drugs receiving integrated harm reduction and clinical services
Integrated models reduce patient attrition, increase engagement, and lower substance use relapse rates.
Clinical Best Practices
Employ outreach workers with lived substance use disorder experience to build trust and cultural competence.
Bundle multiple clinical and harm reduction services at a single access point to reduce healthcare fragmentation.
Advocate for policy reforms to secure sustainable funding and appropriate reimbursement models reflecting complex patient needs.
Expand workforce incentives such as loan repayment programs to attract qualified providers to harm reduction settings.
Utilize Medicaid waivers and billing codes to formalize and reimburse integrated harm reduction care.
