IMPLEMENTATION OF MOBILE HEALTH TECHNOLOGY SERVICES WITHIN THE MUSC INFECTIOUS DISEASES CLINIC TO ENHANCE LINAGE AND RETENTION IN CARE FOR PATIENTS LIVING WITH HIV
Background
Based on clinical experience, the investigators suspect that many patients may have greater comfort and accessibility with text messages and/or video conferencing platforms than with traditional phone calls. Mobile health strategies have the potential to connect health care entities and patients, augment in-clinic interactions, and improve access. Investigators at the University Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Infectious Disease Clinic hypothesize that the capacity to text and video conference with the people living with HIV cared for at MUSC will improve linkage to care, retention in care, and patient satisfaction.
Design
The design of this study is an interrupted time series with a mixed methods formative evaluation. In Phase 1, a developmental formative evaluation takes place with a sample of 14 clinic staff and 12 patients.
In Phase 2, any patient receiving case management services in the HIV clinic will be eligible for enrolment in text/video chat medical services. An interpretive formative evaluation will take place In Phase 3.
Challenges |
Exemplary Quotes |
|---|---|
| Impersonality | " I feel as tough texting loses emotion...People don't see my concern over text." -Medical Provider |
| Expectations of instant access (provider) | "...Texting implies that you have my full attention and I'm at your disposal anytime, anywhere." -Medical Provider |
| Potential for overutilization (provider) | "...Please don't send me 15 text messages in one day." -Social Support Provider |
| Privacy and security | "There's always an element of concern for someone who's HIV positive that somebody's going to find out their status that they don't want to know their status." -Social Support Provider |
| Cost and access | "...Some people have monthly bills for phone plans. They have unlimited. Some people have minutes and stuff. " -African American male patient, 33 years old. |
Primary objective
- Assess the clinical effectiveness of implementing bidirectional text and video conferencing capacity on linkage and retention in care among people living with HIV receiving MUSC-based outreach or case management services
Results
- Some patients wanted medical information sent by text, not others
- Providers wanted short, general messages
- Patients and providers liked using texting for quick check-ins
Collaborators
Dr. Eric Meisser
Dr. Virginia Fonner
Setting
University Medical Infectious Disease Clinic
Location
U.S.A.
Duration
June 2019 – May 2020
Key study materials
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NP-GBL-HVU-COCO-230001 | August 2023
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