Assessment journal contains an interesting article on the development of a HIV Medication Readiness scale (HMRS). The HMRS is the first scale developed and validated as a measure of HIV medication readiness.

The authors state that development and success of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), has transformed HIV from being a terminal disease to a chronic illness, for people living with HIV/AIDS. The article discusses the development and validation of the HIV Medication Readiness scale (HMRS).

Excellent medication adherence (>95%) is required for optimal HIV treatment success and the authors suggest that HMRS is a brief, clinically relevant tool that can assist in identifying people living with HIV at high risk of nonadherence. These patients may benefit from counselling prior to commencing HIV medications.

One hundred and forty two patients from a HIV outpatient clinic completed the HIV Medication Readiness Scale (HMRS,) prior to starting HIV medications. The 10-item HMRS demonstrated high internal consistency (alpha = .90), test-retest reliability (r = .83), and sensitivity to change following a standardized 4-session psychoeducational intervention that was designed to increase readiness for successful adherence. Predictive validity was supported by higher readiness scores on the day patients starting HIV medications and higher treatment adherence at 1-month follow-up.

Web Directions:

Development and Validation of the HIV Medication Readiness Scale

Louise Balfour, Giorgio A. Tasca, John Kowal, Kimberly Corace, Curtis L. Cooper, Jonathan B. Angel, Gary Garber, Paul A. MacPherson and D. William Cameron

Assessment 2007; 14; 408

DOI: 10.1177/1073191107304295

Further Reading

Balfour, L., Kowal, J., Silverman, A., Tasca, G. A., Angel, J. B., MacPherson, P. A., et al. (2006). A randomized controlled psychoeducation intervention trial: Improving psychological readiness for successful HIV medication adherence and reducing depression before initiation HAART. AIDS Care, 18, 830-838