ResearchPublications

Why was the study done? Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a medication that can prevent HIV, but many people in the United States who could benefit from it do not use it. High-risk groups, such as people without regular healthcare or those facing stigma, often cannot access PrEP. Emergency departments (EDs) treat many of these individuals, so they could be good places to provide PrEP. However, offering PrEP in EDs is not common, and little is known about what helps or hinders these efforts. This study looked at the challenges and successes of starting PrEP programs in EDs. What did the researchers do? The researchers interviewed 22 people involved in PrEP programs at 15 EDs and 4 sexual health clinics. These people included ED doctors, nurses, program coordinators, and researchers. They talked about their experiences with PrEP programs, including how patients were identified, how PrEP was offered, and what worked well or caused problems. The researchers analyzed this information to understand the steps involved in making PrEP available in EDs and to identify common barriers and solutions. What did the researchers find? The researchers found that starting PrEP programs in EDs is difficult. Many ED staff do not know enough about PrEP, and EDs are often focused on treating immediate health problems rather than providing preventive care. Some EDs had “champions” who promoted PrEP and helped make it a priority, which was key to success. While a few EDs gave patients same-day PrEP prescriptions, many relied on referring patients to clinics, which often led to poor follow-up. Most programs depended on temporary funding and did not have long-term plans to keep the services running. What do the findings mean? EDs could play a role in preventing HIV by offering PrEP, but challenges need to be addressed. Training ED staff about PrEP, finding ways to integrate it into busy ED workflows, and securing ongoing funding are critical steps. With these changes, more people could access PrEP.