Adherence Support Worker Training Materials

June 2007 — Adherence support workers are important members of the antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinical team. They help improve patient adherence, knowledge, and understanding; provide education and counseling in the patient’s own language; and free nurses and doctors to focus on other clinical needs. This two-week intensive course teaches community volunteers to work alongside nurses and doctors. Adherence support workers learn to interact with patients in clinical, community and home settings where they provide HIV education, treatment support and ART adherence counseling. They also are trained to participate in the referral network and to reengage treatment defaulters. The material includes technical information and techniques for relationship building and counseling. Modules include didactic sessions, role plays and group exercises. A CD with PowerPoint presentations is included in the facilitator’s guide.