Blog Part 4: Preventing loss to follow up by encouraging enhanced adherence with HIV care pathways

There are many reasons patients disengage with HIV care pathways. Multifaceted, intersectional factors – from competing needs to problematic substance use, mental health issues to stigma and immigration status – can all form barriers to access and negatively impact patient adherence with HIV care pathways.

One-way services can look to improve adherence is by improving patient centricity and removing common barriers to access. Technology, like the Personal Health Record, can play an important role in facilitating this

For instance, patient-facing technology can provide patients with easy access to key information relating to their HIV care, including medication and test result data and a patient-friendly HIV care plan.

Having a user-friendly portal to see what medication should be taken and when and how it should be taken, provides a useful reference point for many patients.

Likewise, providing an online area where patients can view their care plans can help set expectations and provide greater levels of autonomy. For example, patients can see when they require bloods and make appointments and view/rearrange pre-scheduled appointments easily. The PHR also empowers patients to connect with services through secure, direct messaging.

Technology can also boost adherence with care plans by removing the need to travel as frequently to clinic appointments, as testing and medication by post, as well as appointments, can be arranged/delivered online. This is particularly beneficial to patients who have ‘competing needs’ or where poverty is a factor. Similarly, patient-facing technology can be made multi-lingual to encourage continued engagement from patient groups where stigma or immigration status is a factor.

Finally, technology can help patients stay on top of medication. PrEP tracker apps already exist for people that want to remove the risk of contracting HIV from an infected partner. The same technology can remind HIV positive people to take medication and adhere to treatment plans.

Tune in next time to learn more about how technology can promote more effective patient communication and support better (re)engagement outcomes.

To learn more about how Inform HIV and the PHR can support your service to better manage loss to follow up click here.