Exploring how stakeholders have experienced the digital transformation of the NHS in relation to routine HIV care service delivery
Project Overview
Following successful antiretroviral treatment, HIV has become a chronic condition with a near normal life expectancy . Despite improvements in life expectancy, people living with HIV still live less of their life in good health with increased risks of developing cardiovascular disease or diabetes, suggesting that more research is needed to understand how to support HIV care. The INTUIT study ran from 2018-2022 and investigated how patient-generated data (PGData) may be used to support routine HIV care. These interviews provided rich qualitative insight on people’s journey with HIV and services users’ individual experiences of care. As well as healthcare professionals’ perspectives on the care they provide. The original INTUIT interviews took place between 2020-2022. Since this time there have been many changes, the NHS long term plan made digital transformation a key goal and this was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are interested to understand how care has care has changed over this period and if previously perceived challenges to digitisation of HIV care have been overcome. For example, healthcare professionals (HCPs) had expressed hesitation around virtual appointments and a preference for face-to-face, as virtual appointments have become more common place will opinion have changed? We are also interested in the psychosocial barriers to people sharing their health data and the implications this will have on data science.
What are the key results of your research project?
- More work is needed across multiple sites due to ‘patchwork’ nature of digital transformation so experiences may differ across sites.
- Attention should be paid to marginalised populations such as the elderly and people with disabilities to ensure no one is left behind in the move to digital. These patients do not currently feel supported and need to be considered in service design.
- The lasting effects of HIV stigma are still felt as people feel hesitant to share their data or have HIV used within their care.
- Improving digital health records and basic technology within the NHS would improve the experience of receiving and delivering HIV care.
How do you feel you have benefitted from completing this internship?
I have gained skills in designing a project and applying for ethics and refined my qualitative interview skills. It has made me consider a career in research as I have really enjoyed it.