A Patient Portal and PROMs to Improve Health Problem Detection and Retention in HIV Care: The DRHIVe Study

What this study is about

Too often, people living with HIV (PLHIV) face challenges, including additional health and psychosocial problems, that complicate self-care, like medication-taking and medical appointment attendance. Healthcare providers are not always aware when patients face these difficulties. A 'patient portal' is an online application that can give patients access to their medical records, appointment reminders, and questionnaires to inform providers about their health and wellbeing. Patient portals in HIV care can help providers detect patient problems and improve care. At the McGill University Health Centre's (MUHC) HIV care service, a survey showed great interest in a patient portal among both PLHIV and healthcare providers. Yet, little is known on how best to integrate a portal in HIV care settings and ensure it is accessible to patients. This project will be conducted at the MUHC's HIV care service in Montreal, Quebec which has over 2,000 patients. Participating patients will log on to a patient portal through a smartphone application and have a calendar of their HIV care appointments, health questionnaires to complete (previously chosen by people with HIV and healthcare providers), reminders for both and access to educational material. HIV physicians will be able to see their patients' questionnaire results to discuss them during clinic appointments. The project's objectives are to better understand what is needed to successfully integrate a portal in similar HIV practices with diverse patients and learn how acceptable and usable it is for HIV patients and doctors. The project will also examine how patient portal use impacts satisfaction, attendance, and physician detection of specific health problems. Furthemore, it will consider how patient sex, age, and ethnicity influence the results. People with HIV, providers, and staff at the study site will be involved in decision-making about this project. Over its 5-year duration, knowledge will be gained and shared on how to expand portal use efficiently and equitably in similar HIV care centers.

Who can join (things the study team will check)

✅ You may be able to join if…

• Confirmed living with HIV
• Adult (at least 18 years old)
• Literate in English or French
• Patient at the study site

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

• Cognitive impairment or medical instability that prevents participation
• Insufficient mastery of French or English to participate (e.g., complete PROMs, study questionnaires)

Where this trial is running

• Chronic Viral Illness Service, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre - Glen Site, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Who to contact

Kim Engler, PhD · 514 934-1934 · kimcengler@gmail.com

It's completely normal to call and ask questions before deciding anything. Mention the study ID: NCT06928961.