As the world battles with the global pandemic of COVID-19, we must remember the other global pandemic that has been affecting us for decades. HIV/AIDS affects approximately 37.7 million people worldwide as of 2020. On a local level, approximately 32,000 Jamaicans have been recorded with HIV/AIDS in 2020 according to UNAIDS. While the world continues to battle both viruses, we may consider the ways trends caused or encouraged by the COVID-19 pandemic can benefit the way we treat a virus such as HIV/AIDS. Telemedicine is one such means of treatment that patients living with HIV/AIDS can benefit from.
Benefits of Telemedicine for HIV/AIDS Treatment and Prevention
Although telemedicine has been around for a while, the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed it to the forefront of patient care. Patients can reach out to their doctors for checkups, prescription refills, test results and more all from a remote location. These doctor visits can be via the telephone, video call or text only. They have proven to be a safe and convenient means of receiving healthcare during the pandemic. How can patients living with HIV/AIDS benefit from this technology?
General Monitoring
Patients living with HIV/AIDS can benefit from general monitoring by their physicians via telemedicine. Those with well-managed HIV/AIDS can benefit from routine checkups. They may also consult a doctor if there are any changes to their health that may need further investigation. While there is no cure for this virus, telemedicine can be a supporting tool aiding patients to control the virus and live healthy lives.
Additionally, telemedicine can be used for initial HIV diagnosis and initiation of treatment. This may include remote access to screening of symptoms, lab test referrals and reviews and referrals from other doctors for further treatment.
Minimise Risk of Additional Infection
Those living with HIV/AIDS have severely compromised immune systems. Telemedicine can provide a safe space for patients to get treatment without being at a higher risk of getting infected with other illnesses including as mild as the common cold and as serious as COVID-19. Patients living with HIV/AIDS have to ensure they protect themselves from any possible further illness.
Instant Prescription Refills
Without a cure, patients living a long and healthy life with HIV/AIDS will be required to take medication for the rest of their lives. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the treatment used for HIV/AIDS. Since patients will always be required to take this medication, telemedicine offers a convenient way of getting prescription refills from a physician. It saves the time and energy of going to the doctor every time you need a new prescription.
Emotional Support
After being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS patients may experience symptoms of affected mental health. The stigma attached to the virus may make this diagnosis hard to accept. Even those living with the virus for a while may have a hard time coping mentally. Telemedicine can provide counselling for patients who are struggling with their mental health after this diagnosis. They may be made aware that this isn’t a death sentence and many persons live a long, healthy life with HIV, including having safe sexual partners and even having children. Telemedicine can provide the privacy and support for patients to unload their worries about this illness in an environment that is most comfortable to them.
Education & Increased Access
Patients may be educated via telemedicine on risk reduction practices to avoid passing on the virus to other persons. This may include education on the use of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) treatments. Education may also include consultations on how to avoid contracting HIV/AIDS altogether.
Additionally, telemedicine addresses the burden of patients who live in remote areas having to travel far for treatment. It increases access to healthcare in areas that may be more rural or remote. This is considering these places also have access to telecommunication services such as the Wi-Fi or phone data.
Challenges of Telemedicine in HIV/AIDS Treatment
Routine lab work is needed for patients living with HIV/AIDS including blood work to check for CD4 counts and the HIV viral loads. Therefore no matter how many follow-ups are done via telemedicine, patients will still need to go in-person at some point to get their blood work done. Also, because these patients are severely immunocompromised, any drastic change in their health may require a physical exam by a doctor to analyse the severity and get immediate treatment if needed.
Patients with this virus who are concerned about stigmas associated with being infected may feel more comfortable communicating their illness in the privacy of a doctor's office. They may have privacy concerns online as well as not being able to find a place of privacy in their own spaces. Patients may also be disadvantaged in terms of access to certain technologies that may facilitate a telemedicine visit.
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While the world finds different ways of figuring out how to minimise and hopefully one day eradicate HIV/AIDS, they may also seek to find solutions that may help these patients today. Telemedicine is just one means of allowing patients living with HIV/AIDS to have an easier, more convenient experience with healthcare.