HIV Clinic Experts Convene to Launch First-of-its-Kind HIV Clinic Resource Initiative

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- 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. 

About the CALIBER of Care Program

The CALIBER (Clinic Activation to Lead and Implement Best practices for Enhancing Response to HIV) of Care initiative brings together leading HIV clinic care experts who seek to help improve patient care in the clinic setting through the creation of resources designed to strengthen physician-patient communication.  The program also seeks to cultivate physician leadership skills, with the ultimate hope of achieving better treatment outcomes for patients. 

The CALIBER of Care expert panel utilizes the latest field research in combination with their personal clinic expertise to identify best practices in HIV clinic care.  The members of CALIBER of Care expert panel are: Tanvir Bell, M.D., University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston; Stephen Boswell, M.D., Fenway Community Health Center, Boston; Mamta K. Jain, M.D., M.P.H., UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health and Hospital System, Dallas; Marc Johnson, M.D., Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina and University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and 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. 

The CALIBER of Care program is supported by Merck.  For more information about CALIBER of Care and to access program resources, visit www.CALIBERofCare.com.

About Merck

Today's Merck is a global healthcare leader working to help the world be well. Merck is known as MSD outside the United States and Canada. Through our prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and consumer care and animal health products, we work with customers and operate in more than 140 countries to deliver innovative health solutions. We also demonstrate our commitment to increasing access to healthcare through far-reaching policies, programs and partnerships. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

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SOURCE Merck