INTERVENTION FOR INCREASING COMPLIANCE IN TUBERCULOSIS

THIS RESEARCH IS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP A SPECIALIZED SYSTEM CALLED TELEMINDER-TBC(TUBERCULOSIS CARE) FOR USE WITH OUTPATIENT POPULATIONS MOST AT RISK FOR TUBERCULOSIS, I. E., RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITIES, RECENT IMMIGRANTS, THE ELDERLY, AND HIV INFECTED INDIVIDUALS. TELEMINDER-TBC IS DESIGNED TO INCREASE COMPLIANCE IN TUBERCULOSIS CARE BY ALLOWING HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO SEND VOICE MAIL MESSAGES TO PATIENTS. THESE MESSAGES ARE DEVELOPED ON THE BASIS OF A MULTI-FACTOR MODEL OF COMPLIANCE. WITH ITS COMPLETION AND VALIDATION IN PHASE II, TELEMINDER-TBC SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE A SYSTEM AND SET OF PROCEDURES TO MORE COST-EFFECTIVELY: 1) IDENTIFY AND CONTACT INDIVIDUALS AT HIGH RISK FOR TUBERCULOSIS; 2) INCREASE COMPLIANCE WITH SCREENING, PROPHYLACTIC, AND TREATMENT ASPECTS OF TUBERCULOSIS, INCLUDING APPOINTMENT-KEEPING AND MEDICATION USE; AND 3) PROVIDE PATIENT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION ABOUT TUBERCULOSIS. THE TELEMINDER-TBC SYSTEM IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR THOSE APPROXIMATELY 1700 HOSPITALS AND CLINICS ENGAGED IN MULTIPLE FACETS OF TUBERCULOSIS CARE.