Perceptions of factors influencing use of an electronic record for case management of persons living with HIV

Abstract

Case managers (CMs) facilitate continuity of care for persons living with HIV (PLWH) by coordination of resources and referrals to social services and medical care. The complexity of the management of HIV drives the need for more coordination, which can be achieved through the use of health information technology (HIT). However, HIT has not been well studied in the context of HIV services. The primary aim of this qualitative study was to assess CMs’ perceptions regarding factors that influence acceptance and use of an electronic continuity of care record (CCR) for PLWH. Focus group methodology was used to gather perceptions from 37 CMs. Major themes related to factors for CCR adoption and use included: predisposing (system functionality and confidentiality), enabling (user training and computer access), reinforcing (work efficiency, continuity of care, information quality, and communication). Electronic CCRs have the potential to improve coordination of services and information sharing for PLWH. Careful attention must be paid to factors that predispose, enable, and reinforce use of HIT such as CCRs so that potential benefits in terms of quality and efficiency can be realized.

Keywords:

• HIV/AIDS
• medical record
• electronic
• program evaluations
• technology

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Drs. David Kaufman, Susan Ledlie and Arlene Smaldone for their comments. We thank the SelectHealth SH-CCR Demonstration Project (H97HA08483, PI: Peter Gordon) and the Center for Evidence-based Practice in the Underserved (P30NR010677, PI: Suzanne Bakken) for funding this project.