Dr. Debra Benator, MD
Claim this profileVeterans Affairs Medical Center
Studies Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Studies AIDS
2 reported clinical trials
2 drugs studied
Affiliated Hospitals
Clinical Trials Debra Benator, MD is currently running
PositiveLinks mHealth Platform
for HIV/AIDS
To achieve the end of the HIV epidemic, concerted efforts will be needed to address the HIV care continuum, including improving retention in care (RIC) and viral suppression (VS) among persons with HIV (PWH). In the U.S., less than 50% of PWH are RIC and even fewer are VS. Studies have shown that these PWH have poorer clinical outcomes and are at risk of transmitting HIV to others, hence the need for innovative solutions to improve retention in care and subsequent viral suppression. Theory-based mHealth interventions have been shown to be promising in reaching these at-risk groups and improving HIV-related outcomes. PositiveLinks is a clinic-deployed mHealth platform that includes patient and provider smartphone apps, a web portal for clinic staff and providers to manage patient cohorts, an online implementation guide, and a learning management system to train and certify clinic staff. It has theory-based features including daily queries of adherence, mood, and stress, graphical feedback for self-monitoring, secure messaging with staff, appointment reminders, anonymized peer support, information resources, and document upload capability to support insurance re-enrollment. A 12-month prospective study in poorly retained PWH found that PL increased RIC and VS, with app use related to benefit as well as improved social support and stigma. PL is a promising existing mHealth tool for PWH, yet its efficacy has not been tested in a randomized trial, nor in urban populations. The investigators will test the efficacy of PositiveLinks to improve RIC and VS among a cohort of PWH in a high HIV prevalence city of Washington, DC. Participants will be identified from the DC Cohort, a longitudinal prospective cohort of PWH receiving HIV care at 15 clinics in DC. First, the investigators will conduct formative research to assess the feasibility, acceptability and usability of PositiveLinks among this urban cohort and conduct subsequent adaptations based on these findings. The investigators will then conduct an efficacy study through a cluster randomized controlled trial at 12 DC Cohort sites among 482 PWH. Clinics will be randomized to PL or usual care. Primary outcomes will include VS, RIC, and visit constancy at 12 months. Finally, the investigators will conduct mixed methods implementation science research guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and RE-AIM to identify site, patient, provider, and system factors that characterize best practices in program implementation. If successful, this research will lead to the development of a novel and efficacious approach to improving RIC and VS among PWH which could lead to dissemination research that will contribute to HIV epidemic control. This project is responsive to NIH priorities, National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and Ending the HIV Epidemic goals as it is cross-cutting, seeks to reduce health inequities, and to improve health outcomes to achieve sustained viral suppression in a geographic hotspot for HIV.
Recruiting1 award N/A
Rifapentine-Based Regimens
for Latent Tuberculosis
This study is conducted to compare the safety and effectiveness of a novel short 6-week regimen of daily rifapentine (6wP, experimental arm) with a comparator arm of 12-16 weeks of rifamycin-based treatment (standard of care, control arm) of latent M. tuberculosis infection (LTBI). This trial is conducted among persons who are at increased risk of progression to tuberculosis (TB) and require treatment of LTBI. The study will be conducted in low, medium and high TB incidence settings that have treatment of LTBI as their standard of care and offer 12-16 week rifamycin-based therapy as standard of care. The hypothesis of this study is that the safety and effectiveness of the experimental treatment (6wP arm) is non-inferior to a comparator arm of 12-16 weeks of rifamycin-based treatment of LTBI (control arm). Participants are enrolled and randomly assigned to one of the two study arms: experimental 6wP or control. The comparator (control) arm's treatment regimens include 12 weeks of once-weekly isoniazid (INH) and rifapentine (3HP), 12 weeks of daily INH and rifampin (3HR), and 16 weeks of daily rifampin (4R). A total of 560 participants per arm (1,120 total) for the evaluation of safety and 1,700 participants per arm (3,400 total) for the evaluation of effectiveness will be enrolled, given treatment as per randomization assignment, and followed for 24 months from the date of enrollment. After completion of data collection, statistical analyses will be conducted to compare proportions of drug discontinuation due to adverse drug reaction (ADR) and proportions of newly diagnosed tuberculosis between 6wP and control arm.
Recruiting1 award Phase 2 & 3
More about Debra Benator, MD
Clinical Trial Related1 year of experience running clinical trials · Led 2 trials as a Principal Investigator · 2 Active Clinical TrialsTreatments Debra Benator, MD has experience with
- PositiveLinks
- Rifapentine
Breakdown of trials Debra Benator, MD has run
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Latent Tuberculosis
Other Doctors you might be interested in
Frequently asked questions
Do I need insurance to participate in a trial?
Almost all clinical trials will cover the cost of the ‘trial drug’ — so no insurance is required for this. For trials where this trial drug is given alongside an already-approved medication, there may be a cost (which your insurance would normally cover).
What does Debra Benator, MD specialize in?
Debra Benator, MD focuses on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and AIDS. In particular, much of their work with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection has involved treating patients, or patients who are undergoing treatment.
Is Debra Benator, MD currently recruiting for clinical trials?
Yes, Debra Benator, MD is currently recruiting for 2 clinical trials in Washington District of Columbia. If you're interested in participating, you should apply.
Are there any treatments that Debra Benator, MD has studied deeply?
Yes, Debra Benator, MD has studied treatments such as PositiveLinks, Rifapentine.
What is the best way to schedule an appointment with Debra Benator, MD?
Apply for one of the trials that Debra Benator, MD is conducting.
What is the office address of Debra Benator, MD?
The office of Debra Benator, MD is located at: Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia 20422 United States. This is the address for their practice at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Is there any support for travel costs?
The coverage of travel expenses can vary greatly between different clinical trials. Please see more financial detail in the trials you’re interested to apply.