Journal article
Iowa TelePrEP: A Public-Health-Partnered Telehealth Model for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Delivery in a Rural State
Sexually transmitted diseases, Vol.46(8), pp.507-512
05/30/2019
DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001017
PMID: 31157732
Abstract
Access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is often poor in small urban and rural areas because of stigma and long distances to providers. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and The University of Iowa (UI) created a regional telehealth program to address these barriers ("Iowa TelePrEP"). We describe initial TelePrEP results and share lessons learned.
IDPH personnel in sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics, Disease Intervention Specialist and Partner Services (DIS/PS), and HIV testing programs referred clients to pharmacists at UI. Clients could also self-refer via a website. Pharmacists completed video visits with clients in the community on smartphones and other devices, arranged local laboratory studies, and mailed medications. We performed a retrospective record review to quantify rates of PrEP referral, initiation, retention, guideline-concordant laboratory monitoring, and STI identification and treatment.
Between February 2017 and October 2018, TelePrEP received 186 referrals (37% from public health) and completed 127 (68%) initial video visits with clients. Median client age was 32; 91% were men who have sex with men. Most clients with video visits (91%) started PrEP. Retention in TelePrEP at 6 months was 61%, and 96% of indicated laboratory monitoring tests were completed. Screening identified 37 STIs (8 syphilis, 10 gonorrhea, 19 chlamydia). DIS/PS linked all clients with STIs to local treatment within 14 days (80% in 3 days).
Using widely available technology and infrastructure, public health departments and healthcare systems can collaborate to develop regional telehealth programs to deliver PrEP in small urban and rural settings.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Iowa TelePrEP: A Public-Health-Partnered Telehealth Model for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Delivery in a Rural State
- Creators
- Angela B Hoth - University of IowaCody Shafer - HIV Special Projects Division, NuCara Pharmacy, Pleasant Hill.Dena Behm Dillon - Department of Pharmaceutical Care, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States of AmericaRandy Mayer - Iowa Department of Public HealthGeorge Walton - Iowa Department of Public HealthMichael E Ohl - Iowa City VA Medical Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Sexually transmitted diseases, Vol.46(8), pp.507-512
- DOI
- 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001017
- PMID
- 31157732
- ISSN
- 0148-5717
- eISSN
- 1537-4521
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/30/2019
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984359901202771
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