1. Health care providers' perspectives on a weekly text-messaging intervention to engage HIV-positive persons in care (WelTel BC1).
- Author
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Murray MC, O'Shaughnessy S, Smillie K, Van Borek N, Graham R, Maan EJ, van der Kop ML, Friesen K, Albert A, Levine S, Pick N, Ogilvie G, Money D, and Lester R
- Subjects
- Adult, British Columbia, Cell Phone, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Pilot Projects, Professional-Patient Relations, Prospective Studies, Reminder Systems, Telemedicine, Viral Load, Anti-HIV Agents therapeutic use, Attitude of Health Personnel, HIV Infections drug therapy, Health Personnel psychology, Medication Adherence, Text Messaging
- Abstract
Though evidence shows that Mobile health (mHealth) interventions can improve adherence and viral load in HIV-positive persons, few have studied the health care providers' (HCP) perspective. We conducted a prospective mixed methods pilot study using the WelTel intervention wherein HIV-positive participants (n = 25) received weekly interactive text messages for 6 months. Text message response rate and topic data were collected to illustrate the HCP experience. The aim of this study is to explore intervention acceptability and feasibility from the HCP perspective through a baseline focus group and end of study interviews with HCP impacted by the intervention. Interview data were thematically coded using the Technology Acceptance Model. HCPs identified that the WelTel intervention engaged patients in building relationships, while organizing and streamlining existing mHealth efforts and dealing with privacy issues. HCPs recognized that although workload would augment initially, intervention benefits were many, and went beyond simply improving HIV viral load.
- Published
- 2015
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