A qualitative study of lymphoma survivors living in rural Georgia was conducted using 12 individual semistructured telephone interviews. The travel distance was the greatest barrier to care, with other issues including communication and navigating between local clinics and larger cancer centers. The participants saw technology as an important solution and detailed their research priorities. Background: We gathered rural patient perspectives on lymphoma care and unmet needs throughout the treatment course to better understand their attitudes toward treatment and their barriers to participating in clinical research studies. Patients and Methods: We conducted 12 individual semi-structured telephone interviews in the spring of 2018 with lymphoma survivors from rural counties in Georgia. Patients were identified by a residential address in counties classified as rural according to the Rural-Urban Commuting Areas codes. Participants were recruited from regional patient education conferences and from current research participants at a university research hospital in Georgia. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis and MAXQDA, version 18.0.8, were used to facilitate a constant comparative coding process during theme development. Results: The greatest barrier to care was the travel distance. The participants described difficulty navigating between local clinics and larger cancer centers. The lack of communication between the local and specialized clinics complicated the process, and participants had difficulty contacting or seeking advice from the team at the larger cancer centers. Seeking treatment from specialized clinics farther away introduced additional barriers. Most participants agreed that the use of technology was important for improved communication. Participants described lymphoma etiology, subtype-specific studies, alternative therapies, and quality of life as key research priorities. Conclusion: These findings suggest that targeted research and interventions are necessary to address the specific needs of rural patients with and survivors of lymphoma. To address the disparity in health outcomes within rural populations, healthcare professionals and investigators can use these data to engage rural patients in treatment decision-making and research planning.

Background Long-acting injectable (LAI) antiretroviral therapy (ART) has the potential to improve medication adherence, reduce HIV stigma, and promote equity in care outcomes among people with HIV (PWH). We describe our early experience implementing LAI-cabotegravir/rilpivirine (CAB/RPV) for maintenance HIV-1 treatment. Methods We launched a pilot LAI-ART program at a large Ryan White-funded clinic in the Southeast, accepting provider-initiated referrals from 4/14/2021—12/1/2021. Our interdisciplinary program team (Clinician-Pharmacy-Nursing) verified clinical eligibility and pursued medication access for eligible patients. We describe demographic and clinical variables of PWH referred and enrolled, and early outcomes among those accessing LAI-CAB/RPV. Results Among 58 referrals, characteristics were median age 39 (Q1-Q3 30.25-50) years, 74% male, 81% Black, and payor source distribution was 26% Private, 21% Medicare, 19% Medicaid, and 34% ADAP. Forty-five patients (78%) met clinical eligibility for LAI-CAB/RPV; ineligibility concerns included evidence of confirmed or possible RPV resistance (n = 8), HIV non-suppression (n = 3), possible RPV hypersensitivity (n = 1), and pregnancy (n = 1). Among 45 eligible PWH, 39 (87%) enrolled and 15 (38%) initiated LAI-CAB/RPV after a median of 47 (Q1-Q3 31-95) days since enrollment. Conclusions Implementing LAI-ART at a Southern U.S. Ryan White-funded clinic has been challenged by substantial human resource capital to attain drug, administer injections, support enrolled patients; delayed therapy initiation due to insurance denials; patient ineligibility primarily due to possible RPV resistance; and inability to provide drug regardless of payor source. These barriers may perpetuate disparities in ART access and outcomes among PWH and should be urgently addressed so that LAI-ART can be offered equitably.

Background Although the number of lymphoma survivors has increased, the needs and research priorities of survivors and their caregivers rarely are examined and addressed. Determining the needs and priorities for this population requires an assessment of the attitudes and experiences of patients and caregivers. The authors conducted a qualitative study with lymphoma survivors and their caregivers to determine care needs and research priorities. Methods In the first phase, 2 semistructured focus groups were conducted with 15 lymphoma survivors and their caregivers. In phase 2, a total of 19 individual semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with lymphoma survivors and their caregivers. In both phases, participants discussed cancer experiences and research priorities. All interviews were transcribed. MAXQDA software (version 18.0.8) was used for coding and identifying themes. Results The majority of participants felt disconnected from their clinical care team due to a lack of communication. Focus group participants noted a lack of information regarding diagnoses, treatment, research, and survivorship care. Participants coped with fear through strong social support and fostering relationships with their clinical care teams. Some caregivers felt completely ignored by clinicians. Participants expressed interest in research, but had difficulty finding relevant studies. Several interviewees desired holistic and survivorship‐oriented research and more studies regarding quality of life and mental health. Conclusions The results of the current study identified unmet needs in clinical care and patient‐oriented research, including needs for a focus on quality of life after treatment, communication between patients and the scientific community, and emotional well‐being. Health care professionals can use these data to provide care delivery, supportive services, and research that meets the needs of lymphoma survivors and their caregivers.

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Use of long-acting injectable antiretroviral therapy (LAI-ART) depends on patient awareness, provider discussion, and patient willingness to use. We conducted a post-visit survey with patients at three HIV clinics in San Francisco, Chicago, and Atlanta in May 2021 to assess for inequities in these early implementation phases.