TelePrEP

Using telehealth to expand access to PrEP

According to the Rural health Information Hub, the risk of contracting HIV can be greatly reduced through Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), but the medication must be taken every day and patients need follow-up appointments every 3 months. Some patients often don't have access to it due to stigma, distance from the nearest specialist, and a shortage of primary care providers willing to prescribe and monitor PrEP.

TelePrEP programs can connect health center patients with a provider who can determine if PrEP is appropraite for the patient and prescribe PrEP as appropriate, through telemedine. This approach to extending services in a way that addresses barriers to care experienced by certain populations.

A number of resources below profile telePrEP opportunities and approaches, click through the Resource Links to learn more.

Resource Links

Telehealth Models for PrEPFrom CBA Center and National Coalition of STD Directors, published in 2018
Innovation Case Study: TelePrEP in IowaFrom Rural Health Information Hub, published in 2018
Strategies and Benefits of PrEP TelehealthFrom CBA Center and National Coalition of STD Directors, published in 2018
Expanding HIV Prevention Efforts and Treatment through TelehealthHRSA Telehealth Learning Series, December 2019
Telemedicine in Alabama to address the needs of residents who may be at risk for or living with HIVFrom Rural Health Information Hub, published in 2014, reviewed in 2018

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Tags: telehealth Ending the HIV Epidemic HIV prevention telePrEP