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. 2024 Mar;28(3):912-923.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-023-04198-7. Epub 2023 Oct 24.

Mixed Methods Analysis of Telehealth Experience, Satisfaction, and Quality of Care During the COVID Pandemic Among Persons with HIV in Washington, DC

Shannon K Barth  1 , Kacie J Saulters  2 , Gayle P Balba  3 , Anne K Monroe  4 , Michael A Horberg  5 , Princy N Kumar  6 , Alan E Greenberg  4 , Amanda D Castel  4 ; DC Cohort Executive Committee
Affiliations

Mixed Methods Analysis of Telehealth Experience, Satisfaction, and Quality of Care During the COVID Pandemic Among Persons with HIV in Washington, DC

Shannon K Barth et al. AIDS Behav. 2024 Mar.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to describe telehealth experiences and quality of HIV care provided to an urban population of people with HIV (PWH) in Washington, DC. We used self-reported survey data from a cohort of PWH in the DC Cohort longitudinal study linked to medical records (October 26, 2020-December 31, 2021). Analyses followed a mixed-methods approach, including prevalence estimates and multivariable logistic regression of telehealth use by demographic and HIV characteristics. We measured primary motivation, modes of engagement, and telehealth satisfaction. Qualitative responses to open-ended questions were coded using collaborative coding. A framework developed by the National Quality Forum (NQF) was applied to the results. Among 978 participants, 69% reported using telehealth for HIV care during the pandemic. High school graduates were less likely to use telehealth compared to those with college education (aOR 0.69, 95% CI 0.48, 0.98). PWH with > 1 co-morbid condition were more likely to use telehealth compared to those without (aOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.02, 1.95). The majority reported satisfaction with telehealth (81%). Qualitative analysis of telehealth satisfaction found that most responses were related to access to care and technology, effectiveness, and patient experience. PWH using telehealth during the pandemic were satisfied with their experience though use differed demographically. Telehealth was used effectively to overcome barriers to care engagement, including transportation, costs, and time. As we transition away from the emergency pandemic responses, it will be important to determine how this technology can be used in the future in an equitable manner to further strengthen HIV care engagement.

Keywords: COVID-19; HIV/AIDS; Telehealth and medicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations

Competing Interests Dr Barth: none; Dr Saulters: Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine, American College of Physicians 2021–2022, Paid to institution; Magnolia Regional Medical Center, Corinth MS 2020 and 2021, payment made to individual; Support for travel to Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine 2022, payment made to individual; Dr. Balba: Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline personal stocks; Dr. Kumar: Consulting fees from ViiV/GSK, Merck, Thera Technology, Johnson and Johnson, paid to individual; personal stocks in Pfizer, Gilead, Merck, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson; Dr. Greenberg: Invited speaker, Davidson College, paid to individual; DSMB/AB UW CFAR EAB (all unrelated), JHU CFAR EAB, ERC CFAR EAB, paid to individual; Dr. Castel: Research award from Gilead Sciences, Funding from National Institutes of Health, paid to individual; NIH NIDA Clinical Trials Network; personal stocks in Pfizer, Viatris, Inc.; Receipt of medications through Gilead Sciences grant as mentioned above, paid to institution.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Telehealth mode by demographic groups
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Qualitative findings applied to the NSQ framework for telehealth priorities using data from the DC Cohort COVID survey, 2020–2021
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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