Difficult-to-Manage HIV/AIDS Clients With Psychiatric Illness and Substance Abuse Problems: A Collaborative Practice With Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses

Complex clients with comorbid HIV disease, other medical illness, psychiatric illness, and substance abuse problems present tremendous challenges to providers. Medication adherence and case management become vital issues in providing comprehensive care to this population. This report describes the practice of two advanced practice psychiatric registered nurses who worked collaboratively with each other and with nurse practitioners to provide care to such complex clients. Description of collaborative practices and the model of collaboration used by the two practitioners are highlighted through three case studies. Conclusions about the practice and its use with complex clients are provided.

Key words: collaborative practice, complex clients, advance practice psychiatric nurses