Abstract
Objectives: The objective was to perform a survey-based service evaluation of our telephone PrEP clinic (Tele-PrEP), which was instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic, to inform future service delivery.
Methods: We administered parallel, web-based, anonymous surveys to PrEP-users who had a Tele-PrEP appointment between 13.11.2020 and 17.12.2020 and all healthcare professionals (HCPs) conducting Tele-PrEP clinics. We used descriptive statistics to summarise demographic and qualitative data, and thematically categorised free text responses using the Framework for a Systems Approach to Healthcare Delivery.
Results: 62/117 (53%) PrEP-users and 8/9 (89%) HCPs completed the surveys. Tele-PrEP was rated ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ by 61/62 (98%) PrEP-users. All HCPs felt that Tele-PrEP allowed them to assess patients safely and confidently. 10/62 (16%) PrEP-users and 1 (11%) HCP expressed a preference for face-to-face care. Using the Framework for a Systems Approach to Healthcare Delivery we identified key areas important to respondents who highlighted the rapid changes as a result of COVID-19, which required an increase in dedicated resources. HCPs valued teamwork, support/supervision and convenience in achieving quality care for the patient, who in turn, valued convenient, holistic and individualised management to meet their sexual healthcare needs.
Conclusion: Tele-PrEP is feasible and acceptable. While most respondents rated the service highly, others identified a need/preference for face-to-face appointments.
Keywords: HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis; Patient experience; Remote access to care; Tele-medicine; pre-exposure prophylaxis.
【저자키워드】 Pre-exposure prophylaxis., HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, Patient experience, Remote access to care, Tele-medicine, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19, HIV, COVID-19 pandemic, clinics, Prophylaxis, delivery, management, response, healthcare, Patient, PrEP, remote, preference, change, Care, Healthcare professional, framework, Teamwork, Descriptive statistics, convenience, service, while, qualitative data, Administered, resources, System, hcp, the patient, required, expressed, increase in, feasible, turn, 【제목키워드】 HIV, Prophylaxis, maintaining,