Accessing Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Telemedicine: Perspectives From People With HIV

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a steep increase in telemedicine implementation and use. Data are lacking on telemedicine use in marginalized and underserved groups including people with HIV (PWH). The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) is the largest single provider of HIV care in the United States (U.S.) and the southern part of the country remains the epicenter of the HIV epidemic. This study recruited PWH from RWHAP clinics across South Texas. To ascertain their perspectives on utilizing telemedicine for HIV care during the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey instrument derived from validated instruments was used. Descriptive statistics were used for client characteristics, quality of telemedicine care, and COVID-19 impact. Wilcoxon Rank Sum and Kruskal–Wallis tests were assessed associations of telemedicine care quality and COVID-19 impact between client groups. Among 246 eligible PWH, 122 clients completed the survey with a response rate of 50%. Clients were predominantly Hispanic males. Significant differences in perception of telemedicine care and the impact of COVID-19 by gender, age, language, and race/ethnicity were observed. Older PWHIV used telemedicine more than younger clients ( p = .01). English speakers indicated more impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily life than Spanish speakers ( p = .02). Worry about the pandemic was most evident among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic PWH ( p = .03). Overall, telemedicine was found to be a favorable and acceptable mechanism of HIV care delivery by PWH in a Southern state during the COVID-19 pandemic.