Adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) experience significant challenges with healthcare engagement. This population experiences lower rates of retention in care compared to their adult counterparts, resulting in poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy, higher viral load, and lower CD4 counts that negatively impact their health.

This study explored how involvement with a multidisciplinary healthcare team impacts healthcare engagement and identified facilitators and barriers to retention of care from the perspectives of AYA living with HIV.

Participants were recruited from a multidisciplinary HIV program embedded within an adolescent/young adult medicine clinical practice affiliated with an urban, tertiary care, academic free-standing children’s hospital. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 adolescents and young adults living with HIV aged 21-30 years (65% Black, average age 25.8 years). Interview questions queried barriers and facilitators to care and recommendations for improving this multidisciplinary care model.

Overall, participants reported positive experiences with the multidisciplinary team. Most participants commented on how mental health challenges were a barrier to consistently engaging in care. Several others emphasized resources being linked to care motivated them to consistently attend medical appointments. Some recommendations emerged from the interviews, including creating an open access care model in terms of scheduling and being aware of and avoiding paternalistic care.