HIV testing in a large community health center serving a multi-cultural patient population: A qualitative study of providers

Figures & data

Figure 1. Study population of a qualitative study on determinants of HIV testing in a large urban community health center. Focus groups were conducted across four units: Adult Medicine, Community Health, Behavioral Health, and Urgent Care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with an administrator and a physician from medical subspecialties.

Table 1. Qualitative protocol for understanding barriers and facilitators associated with HIV testing and counseling in a large community health center serving a multi-cultural population.

Theme	Question example
Current system in place for HIV testing	Are you responsible for HIV testing and/or HIV counseling? What parts of the current protocol for HIV testing are working at the healthcare center? What makes them successful? What is your understanding of how HIV testing and counseling occur at the health center?
Barriers and facilitators to HIV testing and counseling	In your opinion, what are the major barriers to HIV testing, counseling, or both in your job as it is currently arranged? What are the major facilitators to HIV testing, counseling, or both in your job as it is currently arranged? What kind of measures, such as team organization, staffing, or information systems, would reduce these barriers? How does the patient’s language, ethnicity, or cultural background affect or not affect your ability to provide HIV testing or counseling?
Potential solutions to overcome barriers	In the ideal setting, what could we do as a healthcare center to increase HIV testing and link individuals to needed services? What would make patients more willing to receive an HIV test? How should we identify patients who have never received an HIV test or need repeat screening?