Last update:
29-Sep-2023

OBJECTIVE To explore the views on the creation of an information system in the Gregorios Clinic of General Hospital of Larnaca, Cyprus, with the aim of better communication, information, and monitoring of the compliance of people with HIV/AIDS.

METHOD A qualitative study was conducted, in which 17 participants (HIV-positive people, doctors, nurses, information technology managers, pharmacy manager and clinical psychologist) were asked to answer semi-structured questions about what a monitoring program should include, so that the operation of the program is equally useful for all users. Afterwards, a thematic analysis of all the interviews was done.

RESULTS The participants wanted the application to offer many features, such as a neutral symbol and name, protection of personal data, access to analysis results and printing them, notifications for daily medication intake, refilling antiretroviral treatment (ART), and therapy response control. In addition, there should be a possibility for a new appointment and answers through the application, as well as a psychological support line for the patient, relatives and partners, to give information related to HIV/AIDS, for disease management advice and the news of the clinic.

CONCLUSIONS All participants welcome the design and development of an information system, consisting of desktop application and android application, with the aim of better monitoring of people with HIV/AIDS by the medical staff and also to improve their compliance and quality of life. The planning must be done with great care to ensure the personal data of the patients with the use of safety valves, without offending them, but providing them with the necessary information.

Key words: Compliance, HIV/AIDS, Information system, mHealth, Monitoring.