HIV care is a common application of telemedicine in the US for patient, provider, and institutional reasons. Studies to date, however, rarely assess the health-related quality of life of HIV+ prisoners who receive their care through telemedicine relative to those who receive care through traditional means. The goal of the Massachusetts Telehealth Access Project (MASSTAP), initiated in 1999, is to examine the cost effectiveness of primary care and specialty clinics delivered to inmates using telemedicine technology. MASSTAP involves several correctional facilities in Massachusetts, a hub site community hospital, and an academic medical center. Using a quasi-experimental design, we assessed the health status of inmates in treatment sites (receiving telemedicine) and a control site (receiving traditional care) at baseline, 1 month, and 6 months. Through focus group methods MASSTAP adapted for inmates the Medical Outcome Survey Short-Form (SF-36), a valid, reliable, and widely used health status questionnaire. Upon pilot testing the MASSTAP Health Questionnaire (MHQ) was found to be valid and reliable. This paper will present the MASSTAP telemedicine model, the process used to develop the MHQ, the results of the pilot test, and preliminary findings comparing the intervention and control sites.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to discuss the development of a quality of life questionnaire for inmates and the effectiveness of telemedicine vs. traditional health care delivery for inmates with HIV.
Keywords: Telemedicine, Correctional Health Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Tufts University/Lemuel Shattuck Hospital/New England Medical Center
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.