Telemedicine is a collection of means or methods for enhancing health care, public health and health education delivery and support using telecommunications technologies. With more than 95% of adults, and 100% of young adults between the age of 18-29 owning a cell phone in the United States, a technology-based health intervention can be available to hard-to-reach populations or underserved areas. Panelists will engage a rich dialogue and showcase innovative and effective ways to create prevention programs for HIV and STDs using the potential telehealth can offer, specifically with linking young people to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP. This plenary brings together leaders in the field of HIV prevention, research and policy along with private organizations and companies that are currently active on the field of biomedical prevention.

1. 2.10.2017
Cara Silva, Director of Programs
Jay Lykens, Program Coordinator
YTH Live Conference | San Francisco, California | May 6-7, 2018
PrEPTECH: Addressing Stigma Through
Telemedicine

2. The PrEPTECH Solution:
Bringing PrEP Uptake and Adherence Online

3. YTH

4. YTH
To advance the health and wellness of young people
through technology.

5. We:
Discover What works
Innovate Health solutions
for youth
Lead Through training &
digital strategy

7. 2.10.2017
Cara Silva, Director of Programs
Jay Lykens, Program Coordinator
The PrEPTECH Solution:
Bringing PrEP Uptake and Adherence Online

8. The PrEPTECH Solution:
Bringing PrEP Uptake and Adherence Online

9. Community Advisory Board (CAB)

10. The PrEPTECH Solution

11. Design and Usability Testing

14. With PrEPTECH, clients can
Determine eligibility
and register online

15. With PrEPTECH, clients can…
Determine eligibility
and register online
Take a PrEP quiz to
learn about
medication adherence

16. With PrEPTECH, clients can…
Determine eligibility
and register online
Take a PrEP quiz to
learn about
medication adherence
Receive home
testing swabs in the
mail and lab orders
all online.

17. With PrEPTECH, clients can…
Receive daily medication reminders via text, voice, or email.

18. With PrEPTECH, providers can…

19. With PrEPTECH, providers can…
• Schedule telemedicine appointments with their patients.

20. With PrEPTECH, providers can…
• Schedule telemedicine appointments with their patients.
• Order PrEP to be delivered to their patient directly at home

21. PrEPTECH Study

22. PrEPTECH Study
Through PrEPTECH, all participants received:
- Laboratory testing at baseline, 90-days
- Three 30-minute telemedicine appointments
with a UCLA medical provider
- 3-month mailed supply of Truvada® at
baseline and 90-days
- Custom daily adherence reminders
- Weekly health tips
- A behavioral and participant satisfaction
adherence survey at 30, 90, and 180-day

23. PrEPTECH Study

24. PrEPTECH Study
● 25 HIV-uninfected YMSM
● 18-24 yrs
● Recruitment: November 2016 - May 2017

25. PrEPTECH Study
● 84% (21/25) have completed the 180-day study
● 16% (4/25) dropped out
■ personal reasons (3)
■ weight gain (1)

26. PrEPTECH Study
Post-Study (21 Participants)

27. PrEPTECH Study
Post-Study (21 Participants)
● 11 (52%) transitioned to
permanent PrEP providers
● 3 (14%) in the process of transitioning
● 2 (9%) relocating and are wanting to
connect to a provider after they have
established a permanent residency
● 5 (23%) are not interested in
continuing PrEP and have discontinued

28. N=21

29. ADD CHART HERE
N=21

30. N=21

31. ADD CHART HERE
N=21

32. Participant Feedback
“PrEPTECH has allowed me to have access to PrEP in a way that would be
otherwise difficult, stigmatizing and expensive. It offers a confidential feeling
and the daily reminders are definitely helpful of keeping on track with the
medication.”
“Being open about accessing PrEP [is] why I enjoy PrEPTECH. There was no
ambiguity or concern as to whether I'd be approved so long as my diagnostics
came back compatible. The first time I talked to my regular doc about the
issue, she basically shamed me and tried to scare me into celibacy.”

33. Participant Feedback
•“My favorite aspect are the easy appointments and deliveries of materials.
Really saves time for me in my schedule … it’s an easy program that gives
the opportunity to experiment with PrEP, they will remind you when to take
your meds and connect you with sources for support.”
“I love having access to the medication and Dr. K. His observances are
definitely necessary”
•“It [PrEPTECH] removes a number of barriers that seem small but add up,
like scheduling doctors office visits and taking off work, going to the
pharmacy, etc.”
•

34. Next Steps for PrEPTECH
• Disseminate findings

35. Next Steps for PrEPTECH
• Disseminate findings
• Expand study to state or national

36. Next Steps for PrEPTECH
• Disseminate findings
• Expand study to state or national
• Transgender community

37. Acknowledgments
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
Jeffrey D. Klausner, MD, MPH
UCLA School of Medicine
UCLA School of Public Health
Mabel M. Kimble, MPHc
Division of Infectious Diseases
UCLA School of Medicine
Saviance Healthcare
https://www.preptechyth.org

38. Thank you!
Cara Silva – cara@yth.org
Bhupendra Sheoran – sheoran@yth.org
Christian Bannister– chris@yth.org
https://www.preptechyth.org
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