title: Bridging the digital divide in HIV care: a pilot study of an iPod personal health record.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Persons living with HIV (PLWH) need practical tools to self-manage their condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a proof-of-concept study among PLWH to assess whether patients could learn to use a personal health record (PHR) on a hand-held device (iPod Touch) to manage their condition. We began individual trainings and later adapted this to group training. We assessed usability, acceptability and also effects on self-efficacy for treatment adherence using the HIV Treatment Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale (HIV-ASES).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine PLWH participated in the individual training and 29 participated in the group sessions. The participants were largely middle aged, low-income and of racial/ethnic minorities. The sessions were well attended and participants fully engaged in tasks and shared learning. Most participants stated they intended to use the PHR and reported improved self-efficacy in treatment adherence (P = .05) particularly on the integration of treatment adherence into one's routine (P < .02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Training PLWH in use of a handheld PHR shows promise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Infectious Disease Division, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Amneris E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Luque
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Corales
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Fowler
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: DiMarco
authors.forename: Adjuah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Keken
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Winters
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Keefer
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fiscella
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D055991:Health Records, Personal; D006801:Humans; D055539:MP3-Player; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012648:Self Care; D020377:Self Efficacy