Data privacy, lack of direct link among major barriers to telehealth access among Asians with HIV
Although telehealth use is on the rise among people living with HIV and those at risk in Asia-Pacific, concerns about data privacy and lack of online support are growing. still make most of them unable to fully access sexual health services online, according to . a recent survey report supported by global biopharmaceutical company Gilead Science.
RESULT
Conducted by Cerner Enviza from June to September this year, the survey collected responses from approximately 1,500 participants (787 people living with HIV and 744 people at risk) across nine APAC markets, including Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
This report follows another Gilead-backed report Research in 2020 shows that more than half of people living with HIV and 64% of people at risk in APAC do not have access to telehealth services.
The current survey shows that more than half of people living with HIV and those at risk in the region have now increased their use of telehealth services in the past year, especially those from the Philippines. , Vietnam and Malaysia.
According to the report, this increase in telehealth use is due to new online sexual health services being widely available during the pandemic. Respondents said convenience, flexibility and improved access to additional information about HIV were the top three reasons why they chose telehealth.
Despite greater use, nearly half of people with HIV and a third of at-risk people polled still raise major concerns about data privacy in care. remote health. Nearly half of those at risk also said they felt uncomfortable without face-to-face support when using telehealth services.
However, one in three respondents trust the online services provided by their health care providers and local HIV community groups more than local HIV care services. other HIV care.
WHY IT IMPORTANT
Dr Julian Ng, Deputy CEO of DTAP Clinic, a chain of sexual health clinics based in Singapore, said that with the increasing adoption of virtual healthcare services, providers Telehealth now has the opportunity to tailor their services to truly meet the needs of their patients.
Caroline Choi, Senior Director and Head of Health Affairs Asia 5 at Gilead Science, added: “If telehealth usage will remain high after the crisis, COVID-19, we need to ensure equal access.”
“Not only do [healthcare providers] and community-based organizations need to deploy innovative forms of care, such as electronic prescription delivery, but healthcare systems must also adapt to patient needs as they modernize HIV services,” she added.
TREND TO BIGGER WOMAN
The general concern about data privacy when it comes to telehealth can be attributed to the recent spike in cyber incidents in the healthcare sector. There have been cases where confidential information of approximately 14,200 people living with HIV and 2,400 contacts in Singapore has been compromised. online leak.
In other related news, Kenya’s first online pharmacy MYDAWA is starting a new telehealth service for people who want access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, a drug for people at risk of HIV infection.
ON PROFILE
“The pandemic has given the public confidence to be an active participant in their own health management. In the context of HIV, telehealth services have been endorsed by the relevant authorities. and approvals can provide additional support to existing services to keep people living with HIV in care,” Sumita Banerjee, executive director of AIDS Action Singapore, commented on the survey report. latest close.
