Healthcare provider perspectives on Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) use in Danish HIV care - A qualitative focus group study.

Abstract

The use of Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) in HIV care may contribute to a more holistic approach. There is no gold standard of PRO measures that best reflect the concerns and needs of people with HIV, because these may vary depending on healthcare contexts. The aim of this study was to explore HIV healthcare providers' (HCPs') experiences regarding the concerns and needs of people with HIV, and their perspectives on the use of PROs in HIV care. This was a single-centre, Danish qualitative study. We included nine HCPs in two focus group discussions, which followed an interview guide. Data were thematically analyzed following Interpretive Description framework. We identified three main themes: 1: People with HIV have varying healthcare needs. 2: Beyond biomedical care - within the current clinical framework. 3: Ambivalence towards PROs. The healthcare needs of people with HIV vary and depend on their social circumstances. HCPs try to have a holistic approach, but they are limited by a lack of time and resources in the healthcare system. HCPs were generally positive about the experimental implementation of PRO. However, PRO might raise care expectations for people with HIV that may be difficult to meet within the current healthcare framework.