Key Stakeholders’ Perspectives on Implementation and Scale-up of Telehealth in HIV Care in Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The World Health Organisation recommends telehealth as an alternative to help reach remote or underserved areas. Telehealth adoption is therefore key to ending the HIV pandemic. Successful implementation and scale-up of telehealth heavily rely on stakeholders’ involvement. This study explored key stakeholders’ perspectives on the implementation and scale-up of telehealth in HIV care in Harare. In-depth interviews were conducted with professionals within the Ministry of Health and Childcare and its partners, between May and August 2023. Fourteen purposively selected stakeholders were interviewed. Thematic approach to analysis with a coding framework guided by Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was adopted. Key stakeholders perceived telehealth as a potentially effective intervention, which can improve health delivery. Key stakeholders cited the following challenges for implementation and scale-up of telehealth in HIV care: poor internet and mobile network; financial challenges; and unavailability of policies. Key stakeholders suggested the following strategies to the successful implementation and scale-up: multi-sectoral collaboration for reliable and affordable mobile and internet connectivity; policy formulation, donors’ engagement; and recruitment of competent staff. The study findings showed the confidence of key stakeholders in Harare to effectively sustain telehealth in HIV intervention. Despite its promising potential, significant hurdles to telehealth implementation exist and should be addressed to realise the full potential. Further research incorporating telehealth end-users is recommended, to fully understand challenges and hence inform policy. Keywords: HIV; Key Stakeholders; Telehealth; Utilisation.