The selected participants will receive their lab results and - from 2018 - digital prescriptions via a secure smartphone application. If the physician decides that everything is in order, and the patient agrees, he or she does not need to come to the clinic anymore. The next consultation will be face-to-face again.
Thanks to ever-improving antiretroviral drugs, HIV has become a chronic disease in Belgium. This evolution prompted the research into new ways of follow-up which are in line with the patient’s way of life. ITM is doing this research in the context of EmERGE, a European Union funded research project. The app was developed by Podmedics, with input of the researchers of the EmERGE project.
“Thanks to the new app, the patient will be even more central,” said HIV specialist Dr. Ludwig Apers of ITM. “His health stats are always at hand, including when visiting the general practitioner. The patient also has to travel less. In addition, we try to find out to what extent we can reduce the costs of care.”
Early September, the first patients started with the digital follow-up in ITM’s AIDS Reference Centre. Patients will be followed for 1,5 to two years, but will be able to freely use the app for at least five years. After that, a small contribution might be required. Participating patients do save time and travel costs, however. In Belgium, the study only runs in ITM’s AIDS Reference Centre.
Thanks to ever-improving antiretroviral drugs, HIV has become a chronic disease in Belgium. This evolution prompted the research into new ways of follow-up which are in line with the patient’s way of life. ITM is doing this research in the context of EmERGE, a European Union funded research project. The app was developed by Podmedics, with input of the researchers of the EmERGE project.
European research into effect digital consultation
The new follow-up method will also be tested in HIV clinics in the UK, Croatia, Spain and Portugal. The objective of this pilot project is to find out whether the new method guarantees the same quality of follow-up, is user friendly for patients and doctors, and is cost effective. Earlier studies have already shown that digital follow-up has no negative impacts on the health of patients.“Thanks to the new app, the patient will be even more central,” said HIV specialist Dr. Ludwig Apers of ITM. “His health stats are always at hand, including when visiting the general practitioner. The patient also has to travel less. In addition, we try to find out to what extent we can reduce the costs of care.”
Early September, the first patients started with the digital follow-up in ITM’s AIDS Reference Centre. Patients will be followed for 1,5 to two years, but will be able to freely use the app for at least five years. After that, a small contribution might be required. Participating patients do save time and travel costs, however. In Belgium, the study only runs in ITM’s AIDS Reference Centre.
