Improving depression care for veterans with HIV

Implementation of Collaborative Care for Depression in VA HIV Clinics: Translating Initiatives for Depression Into Effective Solutions (HITIDES)

Not applicable Interventional VA Office of Research and Development · NCT05901272

This study tests two different ways to improve depression care for veterans living with HIV to see which method helps them get better support.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment8 (estimated)
SexAll
SponsorVA Office of Research and Development Federal
Locations1 site (Little Rock, Arkansas)
Trial IDNCT05901272 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the implementation of the HITIDES program, a collaborative care intervention designed to manage depression in Veterans Living with HIV (VLWH). It compares two strategies for engaging HIV clinics: one involving a local clinical champion and the other incorporating external facilitation. The study aims to assess the effectiveness and cost of these approaches in connecting veterans to improved depression care. By understanding the best methods for implementation, the study seeks to enhance mental health services for this population and optimize resource use within the VA system.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are veterans living with HIV who are experiencing symptoms of depression.

Not a fit: Patients who are not veterans or those without a diagnosis of HIV or depression may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly improve depression management for veterans living with HIV, leading to better mental health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that collaborative care models can effectively improve depression outcomes, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

The research team will work with VISN 10 to identify sites that

* have an adequately sized (i.e. greater than 20) population of Veterans Living with HIV,
* have adequate PHQ-2 screen data to assess depression prevalence,
* can identify a clinical champion for implementation activities,
* are willing to participate, and
* allow for diversity and balance of clinic characteristics across arms (e.g. rate of referral to specialty mental health for VLWH and presence of HIV-only specialty clinic versus broad infectious disease clinic).

  * For criterion 5, these factors that are important will be determined with VISN 10 clinical leadership and the research advisory council. Randomization at the VAMC level has limited ability to completely balance observed and unobserved health-system factors. However, efforts to balance key site characteristics are important; therefore, site-level characteristics thought to impact implementation efforts were identified by building consensus among HIV, Hepatitis, and Related Conditions Program (HHRC) leadership and the HIV care and implementation experts on the research team. Data on the following observable site-level characteristics will be collected from these sites during Year 1 of the study: baseline PHQ-2 screen rate, clinic size (unique patients, provider full-time equivalents \[FTE\], change in enrollment over the past 3 years), and current care manager FTE. Based on the five criteria described above and the power calculation below, eight eligible sites will be selected. Sites will be grouped into four couplets based on balance of the identified site-level characteristics.

Exclusion Criteria:

-None.

Where this trial is running

Little Rock, Arkansas

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions HIVDepressionHybrid type 3 effectiveness-implementation trialFacilitation
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.