Short persuasive videos to encourage HIV and hepatitis C testing in ER patients
Evaluation of a persuasive health communication intervention designed to increase HIV/HCV screening among emergency departments patients who currently, formerly or never injected drugs
This project will see if a short persuasive video and counselor messages help adult emergency department patients accept HIV and hepatitis C testing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tampa, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11363518 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are an adult in the emergency department who initially declines HIV or HCV testing, researchers may show you a short persuasive video or offer a counselor-delivered message aimed at encouraging testing. The video and messages were developed with input from patients, HIV/HCV counselors, and ED staff and were tested in small pilot trials. In this larger trial, people who initially decline testing will be randomly allocated to different approaches to compare which leads more people to agree to testing. The work includes adults who currently, formerly, or never injected drugs and is delivered in emergency department settings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) in the emergency department who are offered HIV/HCV screening and initially decline testing, including people who currently or formerly injected drugs.
Not a fit: People not visiting participating emergency departments, those under 21, or patients who already accept testing on first offer would not directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more emergency department patients may accept HIV and hepatitis C testing, leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier small pilot studies showed mixed but promising results—one pilot found the physician-delivered video increased testing acceptance, while an in-person counselor delivery did not—so this larger trial follows up on those findings.
Where this research is happening
Tampa, United States
- University of South Florida — Tampa, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Merchant, Roland C — University of South Florida
- Study coordinator: Merchant, Roland C
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.