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

Background HIV care involves challenges; people living with HIV (PLHIV) face greater risks of several comorbidities and psychosocial difficulties, which often impede medication adherence, appointment attendance, and other aspects of HIV self-management. For providers, detection of many of these issues (e.g., symptoms, depression, substance use) largely relies on patients reporting them and they may go untreated. Evidence shows that patient portals and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) can help improve HIV management. How best to implement and ensure equitable access to these tools is less clear.

Aims This project will deploy a patient portal with a standard set of PROMs previously chosen through HIV stakeholder consultations led by the research team (PLHIV, healthcare professionals…). The study site, the Chronic Viral Illness Service (CVIS) of the McGill University Health Centre, serves over 2,000 PLHIV and is the largest university hospital-based HIV center in Montreal, Quebec. The study trial will assess an implementation strategy and patient and physician perceptions of the intervention (Aim 1) and evaluate the effectiveness of available portal functions (patient lab results, appointment calendar, PROMs, reminders, educational material) in improving health service and patient outcomes (Aim 2). HIV stakeholders will be engaged throughout this 5-year project, with representation of underserved HIV communities.

Methods A single-site, multi-method, 24-month unblinded trial will be led, with a hybrid type 2 effectiveness-implementation design and progressive intervention roll-out to all participants. Nine HIV physicians will participate with 360 of their patients, setting targets for sex, age, and race/ethnicity (factors tied to differential portal use). Patients will be trained to use the portal. Appointment and PROMs-completion reminders will be automated. Patients receiving the intervention will fill out PROMs prior to meeting their HIV physician at 6-month intervals. Physicians will be trained to consult the data via an online dashboard.

For Aim 1, study questionnaires (every 6 months), will assess patient and physician satisfaction with the intervention and perceived acceptability and usability. Portal metadata, trial data (e.g., recruitment rate) and qualitative data (e.g., semi-structured interviews, coordinator fieldnotes, meeting minutes) will be analyzed, in part, to determine fidelity and feasibility. For Aim 2, outcomes will be measured every six months. Patient outcomes include satisfaction with care and medical appointment attendance which will be based on questionnaire data and study site data, respectively. Service outcomes include physician detection of health-related problems screened for with the PROMs and patient-centered care which will be obtained from physician consultation notes and questionnaire data, respectively. Data will be analyzed, in part, with an implementation framework (NASSS) and attend to equity. The engagement approach used includes an executive committee with patient-partners and physician-champions, and a patient advisory committee. The multidisciplinary research team includes experts in all relevant areas, including implementation science.

Expected outcomes This project will build knowledge on how to implement portals and PROMs efficiently and inclusively in similar HIV centers while potentially benefiting thousands of PLHIV at the CVIS.

Inclusion criteria

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

Exclusion criteria

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