Operationalizing Equity-centered Implementation Through Person-centered Care Capacity-building with HIV Service Organizations: The SUSTAIN Approach

Capacity-building in trauma-informed care and harm reduction approaches with Southern HIV service organizations must be implemented in ways that foster trust and spur organizational change. Using an equity-centered implementation science framework, this study examines implementation strategies of the SUSTAIN COMPASS Coordinating Center's person-centered care (PCC) capacity-building interventions. Methods. Fifty-eight (58) in-depth qualitative interviews with staff (N=116) who received PCC capacity-building were analyzed using modified grounded theory. Results. Analysis identified four factors of equity-centered implementation that facilitated PCC capacity-building implementation. 1) Innovation factors: SUSTAIN models PCC approaches when implementing PCC capacity-building. 2) Inner factors: SUSTAIN employs PCC approaches. 3) Outer factors: SUSTAIN highlights socio-political factors that may influence PCC implementation. 4) Bridging factors: SUSTAIN facilitates partnerships to promote PCC learning and sustainability. Conclusion. SUSTAIN PCC capacity-building advances health equity through operationalizing person-centered care in capacity-building implementation.