TY - JOUR
T1 - Telecommunications and health care
T2 - An HIV/AIDS warmline for communication and consultation in Rakai, Uganda
AU - Chang, Larry William
AU - Kagaayi, Joseph
AU - Nakigozi, Gertrude
AU - Galiwango, Ronald
AU - Mulamba, Jeremiah
AU - Ludigo, James
AU - Ruwangula, Andrew
AU - Gray, Ronald H.
AU - Quinn, Thomas C.
AU - Bollinger, Robert C.
AU - Reynolds, Steven J.
PY - 2008/5
Y1 - 2008/5
N2 - Hotlines and warmlines have been successfully used in the developed world to provide clinical advice; however, reports on their replicability in resource-limited settings are limited. A warmline was established in Rakai, Uganda, to support an antiretroviral therapy program. Over a 17-month period, a database was kept of who called, why they called, and the result of the call. A program evaluation was also administered to clinical staff. A total of 1303 calls (3.5 calls per weekday) were logged. The warmline was used mostly by field staff and peripherally based peer health workers. Calls addressed important clinical issues, including the need for urgent care, medication side effects, and follow-up needs. Most clinical staff felt that the warmline made their jobs easier and improved the health of patients. An HIV/AIDS warmline leveraged the skills of a limited workforce to provide increased access to HIV/AIDS care, advice, and education.
AB - Hotlines and warmlines have been successfully used in the developed world to provide clinical advice; however, reports on their replicability in resource-limited settings are limited. A warmline was established in Rakai, Uganda, to support an antiretroviral therapy program. Over a 17-month period, a database was kept of who called, why they called, and the result of the call. A program evaluation was also administered to clinical staff. A total of 1303 calls (3.5 calls per weekday) were logged. The warmline was used mostly by field staff and peripherally based peer health workers. Calls addressed important clinical issues, including the need for urgent care, medication side effects, and follow-up needs. Most clinical staff felt that the warmline made their jobs easier and improved the health of patients. An HIV/AIDS warmline leveraged the skills of a limited workforce to provide increased access to HIV/AIDS care, advice, and education.
KW - Africa
KW - HIV
KW - antiretroviral therapy
KW - hotline
KW - telecommunications
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=59049096883&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=59049096883&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1545109708318525
DO - 10.1177/1545109708318525
M3 - Article
C2 - 18441254
AN - SCOPUS:59049096883
SN - 1545-1097
VL - 7
SP - 130
EP - 132
JO - Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care
JF - Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care
IS - 3
ER -