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Provider perspectives on healthcare provision via telemedicine to persons with HIV living in an urban community.

Authors :
Grewal, Reetu
Jones, Ross
Webb, Fern
Webster-Bass, Selena
Peters, Jessica
Smotherman, Carmen
Gelaude, Deborah
Source :
Health Policy & Technology; Jun2024, Vol. 13 Issue 2, pN.PAG-N.PAG, 1p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

• The use of telemedicine has increased in all areas of health care. • Training providers to successfully care for patients in remote settings is essential. • Trainings standardize visit protocols, control provider and patient expectations, identify how to incorporate remote visits into routine clinic flows, provide tools for increasing provider competency to interact with patients, utilize technology features, and increase understanding of types of ongoing support providers require. Engaging in HIV care is key to maintaining successful health outcomes for persons with HIV (PWH). Barriers to care affect engagement and can include access to transportation. Telemedicine has been used to overcome geographical barriers in rural settings, and PWH in urban areas without public transportation can also benefit from this strategy. The aim of this research is to explore the attitudes of providers in one health system about telemedicine after receiving training. From 2018–2020, a convenience sample of 112 providers at University of Florida Health in Jacksonville, FL were offered telemedicine training consisting of didactic, hands-on, and in-person support. Provider attitudes were assessed in pre- and post-training surveys, focus groups, and after telemedicine visits. Descriptive statistics and paired t -tests were used to analyze pre- and post-training surveys. Readiness and willingness to conduct telemedicine with PWH after training significantly increased among providers (n = 73). Providers reported increased readiness to conduct telemedicine visits (p < 0.0001), increased ability to communicate during telemedicine visits (p < 0.001), and increased confidence in troubleshooting technology issues (p < 0.0001). Of the 29 providers completing surveys after conducting telemedicine visits with PWH, 93 % reported that it was easy to access and use. Providers did report a sense of decreased patient-provider interaction via telemedicine. Future research should further explore provider experiences with telemedicine training and delivery to improve telemedicine training and to identify best practices and strategies/activities that promote remote efficient patient-provider interaction. The use of telemedicine has increased in all areas of health care, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Training providers to successfully care for patients in remote settings is essential, especially as technology platforms and capabilities evolve or become more complex. Telemedicine trainings help providers increase capacity to conduct telemedicine visits. Trainings standardize visit protocols, control provider and patient expectations, identify how to incorporate remote visits into routine clinic flows, provide tools for increasing provider competency to interact with patients and use technology features, and increase understanding of types of ongoing support providers require, such as administrative. This paper describes the attitudes of providers from University of Florida Health in Jacksonville, FL receiving training to deliver telemedicine to persons with HIV residing in an urban setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
22118837
Volume :
13
Issue :
2
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Health Policy & Technology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
177847117
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlpt.2024.100853