How COVID-19 and Telemedicine Access Impacted Individuals With HIV

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in the adoption and utilization of telemedicine services. However, there is a lack of data on how marginalized and underserved groups, such as people with HIV (PWH), have been impacted by this shift. Because the HIV epidemic is highly concentrated in the southern region of the US, researchers focused on Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) clinics — the most notable provider of HIV care in the US — in South Texas to gather research to understand their perspectives on using telemedicine for HIV care during the pandemic, according to a study published in Health Promotion Practice.

To conduct this study, researchers created a survey instrument developed from validated instruments to gather data. Out of 246 eligible PWH who were 18 years or older, the study included data from 122 patients who had access to a phone and had a telemedicine visit since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Of those patients, the response rate for the survey reached 50%. The sample included predominantly Hispanic male clients, and significant variations in telemedicine perceptions and the effects of COVID-19 were observed based on gender, age, language, and race/ethnicity. Older PWH were more likely to use telemedicine, suggesting a possible familiarity with technology due to increased health care system contact. English speakers reported greater impact from the pandemic on their daily lives compared to Spanish speakers. Concerns about the pandemic were more prominent among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic PWH. Overall, the study demonstrated that telemedicine was favorably received and considered an acceptable means of delivering HIV care in a Southern state during the pandemic.

The disruption caused by the pandemic to routine HIV care services and the challenges in accessing care for new and existing PWH underscore the importance of maintaining continuity in care. Telemedicine emerged as a crucial tool to bridge these gaps, ensuring access to care while minimizing the risk of COVID-19 exposure. However, digital literacy and internet access play a role in telemedicine's utilization. The study emphasized the significance of understanding patient perspectives in shaping strategies to overcome barriers and enhance the effectiveness of telemedicine, particularly in marginalized populations.

"Gathering qualitative and quantitative data from the individual level to the health systems level about telemedicine access and use is critical to understanding barriers and facilitators to accessing HIV care via telemedicine and to informing resource allocation for telemedicine infrastructure at both the clinic and community levels," researchers advised.

Reference

Allison WE, Choi AN, Kawasaki K, Desai A, Melhado TV. Accessing care during the COVID-19 pandemic using telemedicine: perspectives from people with HIV. Health Promotion Practice. Published online July 13, 2023. doi:10.1177/15248399231169925