TIPS

HIV incidence is unacceptable with the availability of highly effective, evidenced-based methods of treatment and prevention. Biomedical HIV prevention has extended beyond pill-based strategies to now include long-acting injectable HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) via cabotegravir administered by intramuscular injection in the gluteus muscle every 8 weeks. It is heralded as a “game-changer,” but the implementation of LAI-PrEP is unjustifiably suboptimal. LAI-PrEP has high consumer demand, yet few providers are currently prescribing cabotegravir for LAI-PrEP. Implementation research is needed to support further roll-out of PrEP as an umbrella prevention strategy, yet LAI-PrEP has unique implications for clinical practice that will not easily fit within implementation strategies for oral PrEP. A better understanding of how these specific factors impact roll-out is needed to address enduring barriers and guide implementation considerations. As such, this proposal aims to: (1) identify enduring barriers and facilitators to LAI-PrEP implementation in the U.S., (2) determine optimal implementation strategies for LAI-PrEP in partnership with stakeholders, and (3) pilot an implementation strategy within two outpatient clinics in the Midwest. To help guide this formative work, the team leverages the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to understand the determinants of LAI-PrEP implementation and uses two Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change strategies rated with high feasibility and high importance to maximize potential impact in supporting LAI-PrEP roll-out. The investigators propose an action-oriented project using principles of community-based participatory research to engage and collaborate with providers, community members, and stakeholders to support implementation. Preliminary impact of LAI-PrEP implementation will be evaluated using RE-AIM, assessing Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance via electronic medical records review, survey, and exit interviews. Exit interviews will also determine feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of the implementation strategy. This projects’ target on LAI-PrEP is timely, uses an innovative sampling approach to study providers’ perspectives, and is positioned to bring forth paradigm-shifting approaches to incorporate LAI-PrEP into clinical practice. This proposal is led by an experienced early-stage investigator in collaboration with a multidisciplinary investigative team, compliments research supporting oral PrEP implementation, and sets the stage for larger scale implementation efforts to enhance integration of LAI-PrEP into clinical practice.